2019 NBA Finals -- Durant out for Game 4, Thompson "plans" to play
By Ponciano Melo Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 07 Jun 2019
OAKLAND --- Kevin Durant is a scratch for tomorrow's Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Head coach Steve Kerr revealed the news to reporters after the Golden State Warriors practiced at the Oracle Arena on Thursday afternoon (early morning Friday in the Philippines).
"Kevin will not play tomorrow. He will continue to get treatment and get on the court and continue to work but will be unavailable for Game 4."
Apparently, it wasn't the head coach's decision to make.
"It's about when the training staff tells me he's ready. He's been doing individual work on the court, he's been in the training room, in the weight room. He's been doing lots of different things, training staff said he's not ready to play in a game yet, so that's all," explained Kerr.
As for Klay Thompson, it's a green light. But.....
"Klay will plan on playing tomorrow. So we expect him to play, barring something unforseen. He's continued to improve and so that's good news," Kerr added.
Up until yesterday's Game 3, which the Toronto Raptors won, 123-109, Thompson had played in 120 consecutive playoffs games. With the other half of the Splash Brothers back, the Warriors offense will get a major boost as Steph Curry had to carry the bulk of Golden State's offense in Game 3 with 47 points.
Already missing the services of Kevon Looney, and big man DeMarcus Cousins still struggling to find his range after a quad injury that sidelined him for months, the Warriors will need more bodies to step up to avoid facing a 3-1 deficit in this best-of-seven championships.
Jordan Bell, a 6-foot-9, 224-pound forward is among the reserves expected to inherit Durant's playing minutes.
Photos: The author talks to Warriors reserve Jordan Bell, one of the Warriors reserves who is expected to be one of the players coach Kerr to help fill the void Durant left (top photo). Klay Thompson is surrounded a throng reporters eager to know his status heading into tomorrow's Game 4. (above photo)
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