Kevin Durant probably won’t play when his country starts the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Durant, who is the top scorer in Olympic history, missed all five warm-up games due to a calf injury. After Team USA’s 92-88 win over Germany, Steve Kerr said they decided together to keep Durant out of the last exhibition game.
Kerr hopes Durant will join Team USA later and dismissed the idea of replacing him for Paris.
Steve Kerr says there is โno thoughtโ about not bringing Kevin Durant to Paris, but the team wants him to go through multiple practices before returning.
Reporter asked if thereโs concern about integrating KD mid-Olympics.
Jrue Holiday: โNoโฆ Thatโs Kevin Durant, my boy.โ https://t.co/t0NftDHN9X
Durant’s Status Uncertain:
Despite Kerr’s optimism, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that it’s unlikely Durant will play in Team USA’s first game against Serbia on July 28.
“I think [Team USA] gonna be playing Serbia without Kevin Durant… Steve Kerr met with him today and they decided he needs more time with that strained calf…โ
Brian Windhorst has troubling news on KD #NBA #NBAX #USABMNT
https://t.co/oMw9gmwSte
The final roster must be submitted by Saturday, so there’s still a chance for a last-minute replacement if needed. Fans might feel anxious about this uncertainty.
In Durant’s absence, Kerr has been experimenting with different lineups. Only Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid are regular starters. Against South Sudan and Germany, Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker also started.
Kevin Durantโs agent Rich Kleiman refutes Brian Windhorstโs claim that KD will not be available for Team USAโs game vs Serbia on July 28.
[H/T: IG// @ESPNNBA @richkleiman]
https://t.co/SAManiCKlm
After playing Serbia on July 28, Team USA will face South Sudan on July 31 and Puerto Rico on August 3 in their group-stage games. The quarterfinals are set for August 6.
What do you think? Should they risk playing him or wait until he’s fully healed?
