A major career-ending injury to one of the team’s most dedicated players has dealt the Golden State Warriors a serious blow.
With an All-Star roster, excellent shooting, a strong defensive unit, and depth on the bench, the Warriors looked unbeatable going into the season. But over the past week, the Warriors’ foundation for championships has begun to seriously show cracks.
At Oracle Arena on Friday, the Warriors fell short of the Sacramento Kings 98-93, and it was clear why.
All-Star forward Kevin Durant was sidelined by the Warriors for a minimum of two weeks following the discovery of an incomplete rib cartilage fracture on an MRI. As Durant enters the crowded trainer’s room, All-Star guards Stephen Curry (right ankle) and Klay Thompson (right thumb) are already there. Durant will miss at least the next six games.
“Not a problem,” Durant replied. “They mentioned a few weeks. I’ll just focus on getting well, dude. I’ll make an effort to show up on the court as myself. That is the most crucial factor. The timing of this is not ideal. But when I’m playing outside, it’s all about feeling better.
“There are literally not enough bodies left. It’s unfortunate, said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. “The timing seems off. It appears like everyone is falling at the same time.
Despite this, Kerr’s tone was stoic when discussing his team’s smaller roster.
According to Kerr, “all of these injuries seem to be temporary—a couple of weeks, one or two.” We’ll be well taken care of. All we need to do is make it through these upcoming games and hopefully get some guys back.
Curry and Thompson will be absent from the team’s two-game trip to Phoenix on Saturday and San Antonio on Monday. However, they may play against Atlanta on Friday of the following week when they return. Durant may miss the Warriors’ game in Sacramento on March 31 and possibly later as well. The Warriors intend to evaluate Durant on March 30.
In the meantime, the Houston Rockets (54-14) are ahead of the Warriors (52-17) in the Western Conference standings.
“It’s an excruciating experience,” cynically remarked Kerr. “I’m just attempting to take it all in. To come in second at the conference would be disastrous.
