The expected has become a reality.
After Kevin Durant left the Warriors' Game 5 win over the Houston Rockets with a right calf injury, most doubted the two-time NBA Finals MVP's ability to return for Friday's Game 6. The Warriors confirmed that Thursday, saying an MRI showed Durant has a right calf strain, and he will not travel with the team to Houston.
Durant will be re-evaluated next week, according to the team.
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ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news of Durant's diagnosis shortly before the Warriors' statement, and called it "a mild calf strain." Wojnarowski reported that Durant possibly could return for the Western Conference finals should the Dubs advance.
If the Rockets and Warriors need to play a Game 7 on Sunday, Durant would not be available.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr told The Athletic's Tim Kawakami on Wednesday night that Durant would not play in Game 6.
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"He's not going to play Game 6," Kerr told Kawakami. "We can all pretend and just say he's doubtful. But he's not playing Game 6."
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The Warriors currently hold a 3-2 lead in the NBA playoff second-round series, but they now will be tasked with closing out the best-of-seven set without their best player.
With Steph Curry also banged up and DeMarcus Cousins out with a quad injury, it will take all the Warriors have to brush the Rockets aside and move on to the Western Conference finals.