The Golden State Warriors have forced a split in the 2019 NBA Finals without Kevin Durant, and according to head coach Steve Kerr, they’ll look to gain the upper hand in the series without him, too. Kerr met with the media on Tuesday afternoon in Oakland and announced that Durant is out for Game 3 against the Toronto Raptors, which takes place on Wednesday evening.
Kevin Durant is out for Game 3
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) June 4, 2019
Kerr did mention that Durant, who suffered a calf injury against the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Semifinals, was “ramping up his exercise routines,” but the two-time defending NBA Finals MVP will have to wait to make his debut in the series.
Steve Kerr shares an update on KD, Klay, Kevon Looney, & Andre Iguodala ahead of Game 3 at Oracle Arena.#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/1kCcHNsBp1
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 4, 2019
It had been previously reported that the Warriors’ hope was that Durant would be able to make his debut in the series in Game 3 or 4, and it remains to be seen if that will end up being the case on Friday night.
Durant isn’t the only hobbled Warrior, though, and Kerr went through the rest of his players with various bumps and bruises on Tuesday, too. Most notably, Kerr said that Klay Thompson is questionable for Game 3, while Kevon Looney is out for the series.
Klay Thompson is day to day/questionable. Kevon Looney done for the series. Andre Iguodala will play,
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) June 4, 2019
Both Thompson and Looney suffered injuries in Game 2. Thompson hurt his hamstring in the fourth quarter of play and was unable to return to the floor. Looney, meanwhile, suffered a fractured collarbone.
