NBA Finals 2019: Updates On Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins Before Game 1 Between Warriors, Raptors

With five of last year’s All-Stars on the roster, the Golden State Warriors began the season as odds-on favorites to win their third straight title. The defending champs remain heavy favorites ahead of their 2019 NBA Finals matchup with the Toronto Raptors, but it’s unknown if two of those stars will be available.

Kevin Durant suffered a calf injury in Game 5 of the conference semifinals. DeMarcus Cousins injured his quad in Game 2 of the first round. Neither player has returned to the court since.

Durant has been ruled out for the series opener, though he has traveled with the team to Toronto. Cousins is listed as questionable for Thursday night’s contest.

Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr spoke to reporters and gave updates on both players Wednesday afternoon.

Cousins appears to be much closer to returning than Durant. It’s possible he could give Golden State some minutes off the bench in Toronto. Depth is the Warriors’ biggest issue heading into this series.

Durant might not play until the Warriors return home for Game 3. The series shifts to Oracle Arena in one week on June 5, which would mark exactly four weeks from the day that Durant got hurt.

There is speculation that Durant has played his final game with Golden State.

Before he suffered his injury, Durant was easily the best player in the Western Conference this postseason, averaging 34.2 points per game on 51.3 percent shooting and 41.6 percent shooting from three-point range.

The Warriors are 5-0 this postseason without Durant.