The Kevin Durant cloud is hanging over the Warriors. It's not about his free-agency decision this time, but rather his health during the biggest part of the season.
Durant now has been out for over a month after straining his right calf on May 8 against the Rockets in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. And with so many other beat up Warriors pushing through injuries to play in The Finals, there reportedly was a real hope that Durant would do the same in Game 4 against the Raptors.
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported Sunday morning that Durant's long absence "is causing a mixture of confusion and angst" among a handful of his teammates.
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After losing Game 4 105-92 to fall into a three-games-to-one series hole, the Warriors will look to stave off elimination in Monday's Game 5 in Toronto. Question marks surrounding Durant's return have taken their own spotlight as a dynasty might be crumbling before our eyes.
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But there's no magic solution to getting the two-time NBA Finals MVP back on the court. The decision ultimately comes down to trainer Rick Celebrini. Two sources also told Amick that the Warriors have believed for a while that Game 5 was the earliest Durant could return.
With or without Durant, the Warriors have plenty of other questions to answer first to keep their season alive.
