Warriors Get Reprieve From Kevin Durant, Forward Mocks Raptors Fans

Kevin Durant is facing the prospect of missing the entire 2019-20 season after rupturing his Achilles during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, who eventually went on to claim the title in six games. The Golden State Warriors small forward’s game in the finals was his first after spending the previous month sidelined with a calf injury.

In the immediate aftermath of the injury, many questions were raised about the reasons for a second injury immediately after his return and many speculated if the Warriors were to blame for rushing Durant back too soon. The 2-time NBA Finals MVP has rubbished such speculation and made it clear it was his decision to return for Game 5.

Durant had no one to blame for his injury. The former Warriors forward, who joined Brooklyn Nets in free agency this summer, wants to just move on and focus on getting fit as he is confident that he will get back to his best despite the severity of the injury.

“Hell, no. How can you blame [the Warriors]? Hell, no,” Durant told Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes. “I heard the Warriors pressured me into getting back. Nobody never said a word to me during rehab as I was coming back. It was only me and [director of sports medicine and performance] Rick [Celebrini] working out every day. Right when the series started, I targeted Game 5. Hell, nah. It just happened. It’s basketball. S--- happens. Nobody was responsible for it. It was just the game. We just need to move on from that s--- because I’m going to be back playing.”

The 30-year-old, who won two titles with the Bay Area team, revealed that he was desperate to play in the 2019 NBA Finals and had always targeted Game 5 for his return to action. And he indicated that there was no sign he would suffer an Achilles injury as he had stepped up his training and was slowly getting back up to speed in terms of his game.

“No matter what the series was, I was aiming for Game 5,” he added. “That’s why I played when it was 3-1. No matter what, I just wanted to play in the Finals. I just wanted to hoop, especially if I could be out there. I was feeling good leading up to it. I was working out every day. I was gradually getting back to myself doing the two-a-days. I was really locked in on my game and trying to get back. I really wanted to play in that series.”

Durant also had a message for the Raptors fans, who cheered when he went down clutching his Achilles at the Scotia Bank Arena. The Toronto players urged their fans to stop cheering and they did eventually stop and applaud Durant, but the damage was done. While Durant claims much of it was a blur, he mocked the Raptors fans by claiming that they are unlikely to ever make another NBA Finals.

“It will probably be the last time they will be in the Finals,” Durant told Haynes.