OAKLAND -- For the last month, the Warriors have held out hope that Kevin Durant would return to the lineup by the end of the NBA Finals. With each passing day, that goal has seemed increasingly out of reach, as potential return dates from his strained right calf have passed without a return.
Now, with the Warriors down two games to one in NBA Finals against the Raptors, Durant will not play in Game 4.
"The training staff says he's not ready to play in a game yet," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Thursday afternoon. "So, that's all."
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SIGN UP HERE Prior to Wednesday's Game 3 loss, Kerr said Durant could participate in a scrimmage during Thursday's practice, which would give him a chance to return in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series. Though Durant didn't scrimmage, Kerr maintained hope the forward could return.
"There were no setbacks," Kerr said. "I was hoping that today would be the day when he could get out on the floor. It's probably going to be tomorrow, the following day, the next couple of days."
Kerr maintained that his prediction might have been premature, but he remained confident Durant could return at some point in the series.
"I'm getting asked a million questions every day," Kerr said. "So, sometimes I might answer something that doesn't jibe perfectly with what the training staff saw that morning, so I probably misspoke last night."
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Since Durant's injury last month, Golden State has maintained he'd be back by the Finals. Those plans have continued to be pushed back, as Durant's calf has failed to heal in time.
Before the Finals, the Warriors announced their star forward would be out until at least the midway point of the series. This week, with the series shifting to the Bay Area, Durant's workload has progressed to individual on-court work.
Prior to Game 3, Kerr said Durant had a "really good" workout Tuesday and Wednesday.
"He's been doing individual work on the court," Kerr said. "He's been in the training room and in the weight room. He's been doing lots of different things."
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Prior to his injury, Durant arguably was the best player in the NBA postseason, averaging 34.2 points, 4.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 11 games. His absence, coupled with injuries to Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney, has derailed the two-time defending champs over the last week.
With Durant's status expected to become clear in the next few days, the Warriors will continue to wait as the series progresses.
"He still has another hurdle to clear," Kerr said. "So, that's the next step."