Inside The Warriors

Steve Kerr's Honest Kevin Durant Statement Before Paris Olympics

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr spoke on Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant

Joey Linn

Nov 22, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) with Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr in the first half at Footprint Center.
Nov 22, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) with Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr in the first half at Footprint Center. / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Basketball has been without Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant for all of their Showcase Games leading up to the Paris Olympics. Just recently returning to practice after dealing with a minor calf injury, Durant has not been officially ruled in or out of Team USA's Olympic opener against Serbia, but looks to be trending towards playing.

Speaking with ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Golden State Warriors and Team USA coach Steve Kerr said of Durant, "Hopefully [he'll play]. He came through the scrimmage two days ago pretty well, and we'll have another practice today and we'll just keep taking it day by day."

Kerr coached Durant during the star forward's three seasons in Golden State, watching him win back to back NBA Finals MVP awards in 2017 and 2018. Now Pacific Division rivals with Durant in Phoenix, Kerr has the two-time Finals MVP back on his team for just the summer.

Team USA was able to go undefeated in their five Showcase Games without Durant, but they were certainly tested. Now set to face some more strong competition in Group Play, Team USA will need all hands on deck in order to accomplish their ultimate goal of winning gold.

Loaded with NBA talent, USA Basketball will best tested right away in their Olympic opener on Sunday against Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and the rest of Serbia's talented group.

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Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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