Kevin Durant Has 3-Step Process Before Injury Return, Warriors GM Explains

Kevin Durant has now missed seven and a half games since suffering the right calf strain in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets and despite Steve Kerr giving a positive update ahead of Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals, the prospect of an immediate return still seems unlikely. Golden State Warriors general manager gave a more detailed update about Durant’s recovery process just an hour before Game 2 tipped-off.

The Warriors small forward missed Game 2, which the Bay Area team won to level the series and take the advantage to the Oracle Arena for Game 3 and 4. Durant was present at the Scotiabank Arena and was involved with the team despite watching from behind the scenes.

Kerr revealed on Sunday morning that Durant is still to receive clearance from the medical staff to return to practice but indicated that the forward could return to action after just one practice. But general manager Bob Myers believes the process is not that simple as the two-time NBA Finals MVP will have to go through a three-step program before contemplating a return to the court be it Game 3 or later.

"He still has to get through a full-speed practice, probably an individual workout and then practice with some light contact or something that simulates, the best you can, an NBA game," Myers told Greg Papa, as quoted on Yahoo Sports.

"Until he does that, you really don't know whether he's coming back for whatever game it might be because you clearly have to do those things, you have to be able to go 100 percent by yourself first, then with a little contact, then get through a practice. But I think Steve was basically saying 'Look, if he gets through a full practice with a little bit of contact, he'll play.' But I don't know when that will be."

Myers also highlighted the seriousness of Durant’s calf strain after he was asked if the forward is able to perform his patented jab step move, for which he needs his right leg to push off. The Warriors general manager revealed that he was not even close to reaching the level where he can try those type of moves, as he is yet to fully recover from the calf strain.

"We're not there yet," Myers added. "That's probably the last step, right, is to go full bore. This is not something you tape up, this is not something you inject, and it’s not one of those deals. It's not as if, well, mentally if you get through it, your body will tell you when you can go. But you have to be able to do those things.”

“And defensively, just pivoting and going the other way. This is not an injury that, you know Steph had those sprained ankles, and you kind of get through it. This is not really an injury you get through. Either you can go or you can't and your body will tell you that. Again, until we get to the phase and the progression where he's doing those things, we don't know," he added.