GSW Thought Durant 'Had Healed Up Fine,' Former NBA Finals MVP Says

A former NBA Finals MVP and one of the greatest European players in the world has revealed that the Golden State Warriors thought Kevin Durant “had healed up fine” when they cleared the star to play in game 5.

Durant's game 5 injury was indeed one of the most tragic in-game incidents the NBA has ever witnessed. As a result, messages and reactions poured out among KD’s fellow NBA stars, including Dwyane Wade, who was a Finals MVP himself.

Looking back at the fateful night in Toronto, another NBA Finals MVP shared his thoughts about the untimely Durant injury. Dallas Mavericks legend and 2011 Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki recently had a chat with the "Dennis and Cowlishaw" show on ESPN and gave his insight on the latest NBA Finals.

Dirk talked about the Raptors as well but focused more on the Warriors' health issues and Durant’s injury. The 7-foot Mavericks legend empathized with Klay Thompson and Durant, who both sustained career-changing injuries while in the middle of the NBA Finals, Sports Day noted.

“Honestly after watching the Eastern Conference Finals, when they were all in the streets, they basically celebrated like it was the championship already. Their [Raptors] fan base was ready, definitely happy for them,” Dirk said.

"But sad, of course, for (Kevin) Durant and Klay (Thompson). Two great players, two great guys and to have them go down with major, major injuries obviously is tough for me as an ex-athlete to watch, but they'll be back obviously. They're great players, both Hall of Famers and they'll be back," Dirk revealed.

Pain and sympathy were evident in Dirk’s voice when he was asked about what went through his mind the moment he saw Durant had popped his right leg in game 5.

"It was super tough to watch. He had a great rhythm already there even though he'd been out for a month and he looked like he had a pep in his step and he was talking some trash on defense and he looked great and unfortunately that happened. It didn't look good right away, so I was really worried,” Dirk pointed.

Dirk then stated what he believed led the Warriors to decide that Durant could be cleared for the game and is good to go. The former MVP compared KD’s case with one of his past injuries.

“Well my situation was a little different. I didn't sit out one game, I wasn't out for an entire month. Obviously in Durant's case, they obviously thought he had healed up fine. I'm sure they had all the doctors and [physiotherapists] weigh in and he wanted to play and they cleared him,” Dirk explained.