Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant will miss at least four weeks after after the team diagnosed him with a sprained MCL as well as a bone bruise on his left leg, per a team announcement.
Golden State stated that Durant would be re-evaluated in four weeks.
“At this time it’s just speculation to guess when that is,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said during a conference call (h/t ESPN). “He’ll heal as his body heals. And when he’s healed and our doctors clear him and we feel like it’s safe, he’ll play. I want to know as much as you guys, but at this point the plan is just to re-evaluate him and see where he’s at in four weeks.”
Golden State did stat that it is possible that Durant could return to action before the end of the regular season but also described moments where they thought Durant’s season could be over during their examination.
“There was a moment where there was a potential different diagnosis,” Myers said, “but that didn’t last too long and most of it was let’s get another image to make sure we have a clear look at this, and that’s what determined the final diagnosis as I was told.”
Warriors forward Draymond Green spoke with ESPN’s Marc Spears, via text, about Durant’s injury.
“I’m definitely relieved. I thought it would be way worse,” Green said. “Being away weeks sucks, but we will take that over what was initially thought.”
Durant suffered the injury during Tuesday’s game against the Washington Wizards when Warriors center Zaza Pachulia was fouled by Wizards’ center Marcin Gortat which forced Pachulia to tumble into Durant.
“These things happen in sports,” Myers said about the collision. “Nobody’s raised that question on our side. I don’t know if it’s being raised outside of us. I spoke to Kevin a couple times. Other than just being disappointed that he’s injured, nobody’s mentioned anything like that.”
The Warriors signed Matt Barnes who was recently released by the Sacramento Kings during their trading of DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orlean Pelicans.