Kevin Durant Practices Sunday, Questionable for NBA Finals Game 5 in Toronto

Kevin Durant has missed nine straight games in the 2019 postseason but is trying to play in Game 5 of the NBA Finals as the Raptors look to close out the Warriors.
Kevin Durant Practices Sunday, Questionable for NBA Finals Game 5 in Toronto
Kevin Durant Practices Sunday, Questionable for NBA Finals Game 5 in Toronto /

Kevin Durant has been listed as questionable for Game 5 of NBA Finals as the Warriors try to avoid losing their third straight game to the Raptors on Monday night.

Durant practiced Sunday, with coach Steve Kerr telling reporters Sunday that Durant had finally been cleared since getting hurt in early May.

It was reported on Friday that the workout Durant had prior to Game 4 did not go well, but he was a participant in practice Sunday and Kerr said he would also get some extra work with younger players.

Trailing the series 3-1, Golden State needs a win to keep hopes alive of completing a three-peat and winning its fourth title in five years.

The squad has been without Durant in its last nine playoff games since he strained his calf in a second-round victory over the Rockets. The Warriors won their first five games without the reigning two-time Finals MVP, but Toronto has proved to be stiffer competition than their opponents out West and has taken advantage of the two-time defending champions not being at full strength.

After stealing Game 2 in Toronto, Golden State dropped two contests at Oracle Arena to fall behind in the series. Sam Amick of The Athletic reports "irritation grew" in the locker room after the Game 4 loss "in large part because they simply didn’t understand why [Durant] wasn't there" after there was "real hope" he'd return for that game.

In 11 games this postseason, Durant has averaged 34.2 points on 51.3% shooting and 41.6% shooting from three. He is also contributing 5.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1 block per game.

Game 5 will be at 9 p.m. ET in Toronto on Monday. 


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