The Golden State Warriors are hopeful that Kevin Durant will return before the end of the regular season from a Grade 2 MCL sprain and bone bruise that has kept him out for nearly a month.
This may be the best piece of news the Warriors have received since signing Durant in July.
After the injury there was panic in Warriors-land. The team has gone 7-4 since, including a three-game skid in mid-March, lending credence to the idea that, even with Durant back in the postseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers should be title favorites.
However, after Stephen Curry broke out of a shooting slump last week, the panic eased. With this recent news, it will be completely gone.
We should be cautious with this — hopeful is not a definite word. But if Durant is back before the playoffs start, Golden State should be well-off.
The tough games won’t start until the second round — potential first-round opponents like the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers will likely roll over — and by then, Durant should be back at full health if he’s played 10 or 15 games.