Report: Warriors' Kevon Looney Could Return from Collarbone Injury in NBA Finals

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The Golden State Warriors could be going from depleted in Game 3 to full squad in the near future.

Tim Bontemps of ESPN reported Kevon Looney could return at some point in the Finals despite previously being ruled out for the remainder of the series with a non-displaced first costal cartilage fracture. Looney suffered the injury in the Warriors' Game 2 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

"I think it's closer to the breastbone. It is part of the collarbone, from what I understand, kind of in that joint," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters Tuesday. "It's not anything that's going to be a problem long term. But it's going to keep him out for the rest of the series, which is obviously a big blow for us and for him.

"He's had such a great season, such a great postseason run. Fortunately it won't affect his future, but it's a big loss for us."

The Warriors have been without Kevin Durant since Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinals matchup with the Houston Rockets.

Klay Thompson and Looney missed the Warriors' Game 3 loss to Toronto, in which the burden on Stephen Curry was too much to bear. Curry had 47 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, but the Warriors fell apart on the defensive end in a 123-109 loss.

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The Warriors expect Thompson back for Friday's Game 4 and are "cautiously optimistic" about Durant's return, per Nick Friedell of ESPN. Getting at least one of Thompson and Durant back will be critical if Golden State hopes to avoid going down 3-1 heading back to Toronto.

Looney has been the Warriors' best center during their postseason run, averaging 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds on 73.0 percent shooting.