NBA Finals: Kevin Durant's Game 5 Injury Receives Mixed Reactions From NBA Pros

NBA pros had mixed reactions to Kevin Durant’s devastating injury during the crucial game 5 of the NBA Finals in Toronto and the cheering of the crowd when he went down.

The hope that Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant brought to game 5 was shortlived as he incurred another injury in a play during the second quarter of the game. With the Warriors down in the series, the MVP’s return and injury in game 5 indeed added more drama to the Finals story, and as expected, received multiple reactions.

During the heat of the moment, the Raptors crowd immediately cheered after noticing that Durant fell to the floor and started holding his right ankle, specifically the achilles area. All the cheering from the fired up crowd was evidently not appreciated by many sports fans, including NBA veteran Quentin Richardson, who described the act as “ridiculous” and “distasteful,” Sports Illustrated reported.

It did not take long for NBA pros to express their deepest sympathies to their fellow NBA star as well.

2006 NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade tweeted a heartfelt statement about KD’s injury. Wade admitted that he admired the superstar’s courage to be out there with his “brothers.”

Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo sent his prayers for his “big bro.”

While most reactions were of admiration for Durant’s will and sympathies for his sudden injury, Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love took their frustrations and disbelief to Twitter.

Even the young NBA players paid respect and showed love to KD. One of the most remarkable statements from the youngsters was tweeted by the Atlanta Hawks rising star Trae Young. The rookie emphasized his “major respect” for Durant and wished the reigning Finals MVP to bounce back stronger and healthier.

Prior to the messages, Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers got very emotional when he spoke with the media members in Toronto about Durant's injury, according to CBS Sports. Myers was obviously still in shock when he confirmed that Durant indeed sustained an Achilles injury.

"It's an Achilles injury,” Myers announced.

With the history that the said injury has made in the past, Myers has all the right to be saddened as it will most likely take long for KD to recover.

As the head of basketball operations and as one of the core decision-makers of the Warriors, Myers took full responsibility for the issue should the public will wonder who is to blame.

"I don't know the extent of it. He'll have an MRI tomorrow. I don't believe there's anybody to blame. But I understand this world. And if you have to, you can blame me. I run our basketball operations department,” Myers explained.