Warriors Rumors: Kevin Durant Could Return from Injury Midway Through NBA Finals

Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant is expected to return from his calf injury "at some point midway through the NBA Finals," according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

Durant was sidelined for Game 1, the sixth consecutive game he has missed. Head coach Steve Kerr revealed Thursday that it's a "long shot" the two-time Finals MVP will play in Game 2 on Sunday.

Haynes said there is "some optimism" Durant may be ready as early as Game 3 on Wednesday, though Game 4 next Friday is a "stronger possibility." It's not clear if the status of the series will play a factor on if/when he will return (Golden State trails 1-0 after a 118-109 loss Thursday).

Durant has been cleared for individual on-court basketball activities, though Kerr said he will have to participate in a full practice before he returns to the lineup. According to Haynes, the Warriors will not practice Friday, leaving Saturday as a key date in regard to his availability for Game 2.

Durant has been sidelined since suffering a calf strain in Game 5 of Golden State's second-round matchup with the Houston Rockets on May 8. Thursday night marked the first time in the six-plus games since the injury the Warriors had lost.

The Dubs are 31-2 in the last 33 games that Durant has missed but in which Stephen Curry had played.

Entering its showdown against Toronto, Golden State was 8-1 in Finals games during the Durant era. This is the first time the team has trailed in the championship round in the three years since he arrived in the Bay Area as a free agent, and the Warriors have lost their last four Finals games played without Durant, dating back to their historic 3-1 collapse in 2016 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Durant was averaging a career-high 34.2 points per game while shooting 51.3 percent (41.6 percent from three) during the postseason. He was also averaging 5.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in 11 playoff games while recording a defensive rating of 108.4.