The Golden State Warriors are still alive in the NBA Finals after holding off the Toronto Raptors 106-105 in Game 5 Monday night at Scotiabank Arena.
The Warriors found themselves trailing by six (103-97) with under three minutes left, but got two three-pointers from Klay Thompson (26 points) and another triple from Steph Curry (31 points) to take a 106-103 lead.
The Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson, combined for 57 PTS including these CLUTCH three pointers to seal the Game 5 win for the Warriors ☔️
Watch the #NBAFinals live on @SkySportsNBA pic.twitter.com/6caHbuDy3q
— NBA UK (@NBAUK) June 11, 2019
The Raptors had a chance to win on the final possession, but Kyle Lowry missed a three-pointer with good close-out defense from Draymond Green.
The ending of this game 😱 pic.twitter.com/7QFvwfyfqY
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) June 11, 2019
But the main story of the game was the return, and quick exit, for Golden State star Kevin Durant. After missing over a month with a leg injury, Durant returned to action with the Warriors’ season on the line, and left in the second quarter with a leg injury that didn’t look good. He did score 11 points in 12 minutes, so he still had an impact for the Warriors in the win. But he left the arena on crutches and in a walking boot, and his status for the rest of the series is very much in doubt. And there’s concern it’s an Achilles injury, which could be a problem beyond this season. Head coach Steve Kerr called the injury “devastating” in his postgame press conference.
“An incredible win, and a horrible loss at the same time.”
Steve Kerr explains the emotions surrounding the Warriors Game 5 win and Kevin Durant’s injury. pic.twitter.com/xsJbLCDYfA
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) June 11, 2019
Kerr, asked to sum up his range of emotions: "I don't think that I can, honestly." Calls Durant injury "devastating."
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) June 11, 2019
So, it’s unlikely the Warriors have Durant for Game 6 and a possible Game 7, but they at least stayed alive with this hard-fought Game 5 win in Toronto. And now they go back to Oakland for Game 6, in what is sure to be a raucous environment at Oracle Arena.
The Warriors open as 3.5-point favorites in Game 6.
UPDATE: A very emotional Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers confirmed it’s an Achilles injury for Kevin Durant.
#Warriors GM Bob Meyers is visibly emotional as he announces that Kevin Durant suffered an Achilles injury tonight pic.twitter.com/UOX5rMdBBp
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 11, 2019
Brutal news for Durant, the Warriors, and the NBA.
UPDATE: ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports that the Warriors believe Kevin Durant’s MRI will confirm a torn right Achilles tendon.
The Warriors believe Kevin Durant’s MRI on Tuesday will confirm a torn right Achilles’ tendon, league sources tell me and @wojespn
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 11, 2019