One week from today, Kevin Durant is set to have his injured leg re-evaluated. On Feb. 28, the superstar forward suffered a Grade 2 Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) sprain and a tibial bone bruise after colliding with center Zaza Pachulia.
At the beginning his absence, the Warriors were playing some of their worst basketball of the season. Part of that had to do with a hectic road schedule, but it became evident some of the struggles were because Durant was not on the floor. Golden State is 6-5 in 11 games so far without Durant, and has since won four straight.
The good news is that all indications point to his return sometime before the regular season is over. Steve Kerr and the medical staff will have to decide if Durant is ready for a full work load. They also could decide it serves he and the team best to come incrementally off the bench until he returns to full strength. Kerr may even opt to hold him out entirely until the playoffs.
This is what the Warriors said in a press release at the time of his injury: “There is no timetable for his return, but it has not been ruled out that he could play again before the end of the regular season.”
SB Nation’s Tim Cato caught some video of Durant’s progress Tuesday night in Dallas. Looking good, Kev.
Durant looked pretty comfortable shooting jumpers before the Mavericks game. didn't see him doing anything more explosive than this, though. pic.twitter.com/E51raIkkeY
— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) March 21, 2017