The Golden State Warriors aren’t exactly playing their best basketball right now and everyone knows it. Things came to a head over the weekend when the reigning champions lost to the Phoenix Suns in Oakland and, after the game, there was an insinuation from Stephen Curry that the team would be ready to make a “statement” in their next game against the Houston Rockets.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, the team won’t be at full strength, as Kevin Durant will not take the floor against James Harden and company.
Kevin Durant didn’t practice in Houston tonight. Will not play vs Rockets tomorrow.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 12, 2019
Kevin Durant out for tomorrow’s game vs Rockets and he did not practice
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) March 12, 2019
Durant left Golden State’s flop against Phoenix with what was described as a “right ankle contusion” and, without a practice, it appears the Warriors just aren’t prepared to risk it. That, of course, makes complete sense when discussing a team that has the flat-out expectation to win the championship and, if there is any doubt whatsoever about Durant’s health, there is no reason to deploy him, even in a big game.
It is clearly unfortunate that NBA fans won’t be treated to the full-on battle between the hottest team in the league (Houston) and the best team in the league (Golden State) on national television. In the grand scheme, though, fun should still be had and, after all, the Warriors were pretty darn good at basketball before Durant arrived.
