Kevin Durant Completing Non-Contact Work, Knee Injury Re-Evaluated in 7-10 Days

The Golden State Warriors announced Wednesday that superstar forward Kevin Durant will be allowed to take part in non-contact basketball drills as the next step in his recovery from a knee injury.

Warriors PR provided the full update, which noted Durant could still return to game action before the end of the regular season:

The 28-year-old eight-time All-Star was injured during Golden State's loss to the Washington Wizards on Feb. 28. He was diagnosed with a sprained MCL and a bone bruise after an initial scare of a more serious injury and was projected to miss "at least four weeks," per ESPN.com.

Although Durant isn't ready to return at the one-month mark, he's taking the next step in the rehab process, which is a great sign for the Warriors. The team faded without him initially but has turned things around with an eight-game winning streak.

Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle noted the 2013-14 NBA MVP stated in early March he'd let his body decide when it was time to return after being asked about a timetable:

"

I'm not even thinking about that right now. I know that's what everybody wants to know, and are wondering. But whenever my body tells me I'll be ready to play, that's when I'll be ready to play, so I'm not really thinking it too far down the line, I'm just worried about, had a great day today, and I look forward to having a good one tomorrow. That’s what I'm thinking about at this point.

"

Golden State currently has eight games remaining in the regular season. That includes one Wednesday night against fellow Western Conference superpower San Antonio Spurs.

The Warriors will complete the campaign Wednesday, April 12, against the Los Angeles Lakers. That gives Durant two weeks to recover if he wants to log some minutes before the playoffs.