It was also Durant’s first game against his former coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Scott Brooks, who joined Washington this season. The Warriors (50-10) are now four games ahead of the San Antonio Spurs (45-13), meaning there’s still plenty of time for them to lose homecourt advantage throughout the postseason.
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Barnes will begin his second, and possibly last, stint with the Warriors on Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls.
The Warriors lost to the Wizards on Tuesday, 112-108, after losing Kevin Durant in the first quarter to an MCL sprain.
Fortunately, the MRI results revealed Wednesday that the injury is not as bad for Kevin Durant as originally feared. After meeting with trainers, Durant, who was grimacing and holding his left leg, headed to the locker room and did not return. “Obviously, that’s still the hope”.
Everything that could go wrong for the Warriors did.
Last July, the four-time scoring champion made the stunning decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder for the already-lethal Warriors, creating an National Basketball Association powerhouse that he hopes will help him land an elusive National Basketball Association title. Verizon Center has become the unluckiest venue for Durant. It is the only plan. They’ll look to get back on track on Saturday when they play the Knicks in NY.
On the surface, the turnaround this season is an odd thing. Had Durant gone down for any team not named the Warriors, chances are the team would struggle until his return. As noted by CBS Sports, Kevin Durant is unlikely to play in that game.
Fourteen of San Antonio’s 24 remaining games are against playoff opponents.
While Durant convalesces, Cleveland is getting better. In Durant’s absence, we should expect to see Thompson going into the post more, and spotting up for 3-pointers a bit less. “They have individual guys playing well, and it shows in the win column. Without KD, we’re going through a tough time but we’re going to bounce back”. He’s now a free agent, and can sign with any team. Even someone as gifted as Durant.
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It was a worthwhile reality check because now the Wizards have their edge back. They’re saving themselves. Their ceiling isn’t as high as it would’ve been with Durant. Yes, they’ll shoot better a vast majority of the time. The Warriors committed fewer turnovers than the Bulls and scored more points off Chicago giveaways. You stress yourself without Durant in that first round…and I think Houston’s a much tougher matchup with the way they shoot three’s, the way they spread you out.
