NBA Finals 2019: Warriors announce that Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins are 'unlikely' to play at the beginning of series

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Kevin Durant, who strained his right calf in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals, is unlikely to play at the beginning of the 2019 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors announced today.

The Warriors added that they are hopeful the two-time Finals MVP could return at some point during the series.

The Warriors also provided an update on DeMarcus Cousins, who tore his left quadriceps muscle in the first round of these playoffs. The team anticipates that Cousins will be able to play "at some point" in the Finals, though the exact date is still to be determined.

 

Durant was averaging 34.2 points per game prior to his injury — the highest mark in his postseason career — on 51.3 percent shooting from the field, 41.6 percent from the perimeter and 90.1 percent from the free throw line. He leads the league in scoring for the playoffs, with James Harden (31.6) and Kawhi Leonard (31.2) trailing him.

Cousins, meanwhile, played in only two games prior to his injury. He fouled out in the first and suffered his injury three minutes into the second.

The Warriors will provided another update on Durant and Cousins next Wednesday.

 

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