The reports are in. For the Golden State Warriors, DeMarcus Cousins is questionable and Kevin Durant is out for Game 1 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
The Golden State Warriors are potentially going to be without both DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Durant to start the Finals. While Boogie Cousins is deemed questionable, it seems likely that he’ll be held out of Game 1.
As for Durant, his return is still unknown.
It would’ve been ideal to see him return last series if it were to go to a Game 7. The Warriors took care of business in just four games and still won’t see Durant back in time for Game 1, so that pipe dream doesn’t seem realistic.
KD was diagnosed with a mild calf sprain that occurred during Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Up until that point, Durant was having one of the greatest postseason runs in the modern era, averaging over 34 points per game through the team’s first 11 games.
However, the goal for both Durant and the medical staff is to get him out there at 100%. He’ll need to be at full strength as the Warriors will be facing Kawhi Leonard’s Raptors who are coming off a remarkable four-game win streak against the Bucks after facing a 2-0 series deficit.
That said, the timetable for Durant is still unknown. He could’ve already played his last game for the Warriors, or he could be their champion yet again. We truly don’t know what the NBA Finals hold for Durant.
But, as for Cousins, he is expected to make an appearance in the Finals. Whether it be in Game 1 or 2, it’d be a shocker not to see Cousins dressed for at least the latter of the two pivotal opening games.
Cousins, who shocked the NBA with his $5 million contract in Golden State, played 30 games. Averaging 16.3 points and hauling down 8.2 rebounds per game, Cousins was the team’s key to victory in a few high-profile regular season games.
His return will have a huge impact on both the Warriors and this series at-large. However, it’ll be up to Steve Kerr and company to figure out how to play him correctly in what could be limited minutes.