Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers fought through tears as he confirmed Kevin Durant aggravated an Achilles injury that had kept him out of the NBA Finals until Game Five.
Durant is a key component of the Golden State outfit and his impact was immediate on his return after a month on the sidelines. The 10-time All-Star was forced from the court in the second quarter and appears unlikely to play any further part in Golden State's bid to win a third title running.
Tearful Myers implored anyone looking for someone to blame, to blame him after the devastating blow to his Warriors side.
"I don't believe there's anybody to blame but I understand it's this world – and if you have to, you can blame me," Myers said. "Prior to coming back he went through four weeks with our medical team and it was thorough – it was experts – multiple MRIs, multiple doctors and we felt good about the process. He was cleared to play – that was a collaborative decision."
Advertisement
Kevin Durant is helped from the court.Credit:Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP
Kevin Durant is due to have an MRI scan on Wednesday to evaluate the damage done but Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse did not expect his team to have to deal with Durant again this series – needing just one win from a possible two games to claim a maiden NBA title.
"[Kevin Durant] was probably not 100 per cent and he gave it a shot tonight," Nurse said. "I think without a collision or landing on something you knew it was probably something not good. The moment for me – I love KD, I love watching him play – when anybody goes down you're saddened by it."
Warriors coach Steve Kerr spoke to the emotional impact on his players of seeing a teammate go down – as players and ex-players alike, including three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade, sent well wishes on social media.
"I just told the team I didn't know what to say," Steve Kerr said. "On the one hand, I'm so proud of the amazing heart and grit that they showed [to win with a series on the line] – on the other hand, I'm just devastated for Kevin [Durant]. It's a bizarre feelRead More – Source
Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers fought through tears as he confirmed Kevin Durant aggravated an Achilles injury that had kept him out of the NBA Finals until Game Five.
Durant is a key component of the Golden State outfit and his impact was immediate on his return after a month on the sidelines. The 10-time All-Star was forced from the court in the second quarter and appears unlikely to play any further part in Golden State's bid to win a third title running.
Tearful Myers implored anyone looking for someone to blame, to blame him after the devastating blow to his Warriors side.
"I don't believe there's anybody to blame but I understand it's this world – and if you have to, you can blame me," Myers said. "Prior to coming back he went through four weeks with our medical team and it was thorough – it was experts – multiple MRIs, multiple doctors and we felt good about the process. He was cleared to play – that was a collaborative decision."
Advertisement
Kevin Durant is helped from the court.Credit:Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP
Kevin Durant is due to have an MRI scan on Wednesday to evaluate the damage done but Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse did not expect his team to have to deal with Durant again this series – needing just one win from a possible two games to claim a maiden NBA title.
"[Kevin Durant] was probably not 100 per cent and he gave it a shot tonight," Nurse said. "I think without a collision or landing on something you knew it was probably something not good. The moment for me – I love KD, I love watching him play – when anybody goes down you're saddened by it."
Warriors coach Steve Kerr spoke to the emotional impact on his players of seeing a teammate go down – as players and ex-players alike, including three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade, sent well wishes on social media.
"I just told the team I didn't know what to say," Steve Kerr said. "On the one hand, I'm so proud of the amazing heart and grit that they showed [to win with a series on the line] – on the other hand, I'm just devastated for Kevin [Durant]. It's a bizarre feelRead More – Source
