Kevin Durant, Warriors Don't Think Vince Carter Meant to Injure Patrick McCaw
Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors don't believe Sacramento Kings swingman Vince Carter intentionally tried to hurt guard Patrick McCaw when he undercut him on a layup attempt Saturday.
"I know Vince's spirit and his heart, and I don't believe it was intentional at all," Durant told reporters.
"It looked like he was just caught in the middle of wanting to get in the play and wanting to move out of the way. Pat was just coming so fast, and it was just an unfortunate play. … Nobody in our locker room thinks Vince did that on purpose."
McCaw was stretchered off after remaining down in obvious pain for some time.
Carter was also visibly distraught, and Chris Haynes of ESPN reported he came up to Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and the coaching staff to apologize for the play after Golden State's 112-96 victory.
Carter said, "I just hope he's OK":
Although Kerr was angry at Carter after the play and suggested to an official the veteran knew better than to undercut someone heading toward the basket, he noted how Carter felt in his postgame comments.
"Vince felt horrible; he was out there next to him," Kerr said. "Vince felt awful, and Pat was in extreme pain. Everybody felt bad. All we can do is just hope we get a positive response from the hospital, and we'll see. At this point, we don't know anything."
The Warriors announced chest X-rays were clear and that a CT scan was also clear, although McCaw will undergo an MRI as well.
He joins Stephen Curry, who is recovering from a Grade 2 MCL sprain, on the team's injured list. The Warriors will now have to rely further on Quinn Cook, Shaun Livingston and Nick Young alongside Klay Thompson in the backcourt.
McCaw, 22, was averaging 4.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game this season.
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