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    Warriors' Kevon Looney Hopes to Play in Finals Game 6 vs. Raptors with Injury

    Kyle Newport@@KyleNewportFeatured ColumnistJune 11, 2019

    TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 10: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors in the first half during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
    Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

    Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney hopes to play against the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals on Thursday night after reaggravating his collarbone injury in Game 5 on Monday, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

    Per the Mercury News' Mark Medina, Golden State's training staff told Looney there is no risk in making the injury any worse by playing. As a result, Looney intends to get treatment over the next few days and try to play through the pain.

    Looney was initially injured midway through the first quarter of Game 2 on June 2. He had been ruled out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a non-displaced right first costal cartilage fracture.

    Although he was held out of Game 3, he was able to return to the court in Game 4 after Shelburne reported he was "lobbying hard."

    After playing 20 minutes on Friday, Looney played 18 minutes on Monday night and was visibly in pain at times throughout the game:

    Bleacher Report NBA @BR_NBA

    Respect to Looney. Dude is battling. https://t.co/NDKqLF8JHK

    Warriors' Kevon Looney Hopes to Play in Finals Game 6 vs. Raptors with Injury
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    He exited the game late in the third quarter and did not return, finishing with four points and three rebounds.

    If he is unable to give it a go in Game 6, it would be a tough blow to the Warriors' rotation. Looney averaged 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game during the regular season, making 24 starts in 80 appearances. While he has not started during the postseason, he has averaged 20.3 minutes per contest.

    As ESPN Stats and Info noted, the team has performed well with Looney on the court:

    ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo

    The Warriors are going to miss Kevon Looney, who's out indefinitely with a costal cartilage fracture. Prior to his injury in Game 2, Golden State was +12.6 per 100 possessions with Looney on the floor this postseason, the best mark of any player on the roster. https://t.co/vZM2jGTdLH

    The 6'9", 220-pound center has provided Golden State with much-needed size while still allowing it to play at a fast pace.

    Looney's availability for the remainder of the series became even more crucial after two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant suffered a potentially season-ending Achilles injury in Game 5. Shelburne reported the Warriors believe Durant suffered a torn right Achilles.