Frustrated Kevin Durant still uncertain for Game 3
— -- OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant participated fully in a "light" practice on Friday and remains questionable with a left calf strain for Saturday's Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Durant said he felt good after practice but that it was frustrating to be injured again.
"I want to play," he said. "I want to be out there every step of the way with the team, but I understand health is important and I want to feel great hopefully for a long run this postseason. I understand the big picture but I still want to play."
Durant was four games removed from returning after a five-week hiatus stemming from a left knee injury. He suffered the calf injury in the second half of a 121-109 Game 1 victory on Sunday. Despite wanting to play, he was sidelined for the Warriors' 110-81, Game 2?crushing.
Coach Steve Kerr said the organization is taking extra precautions when it comes to reactivating Durant.
"[We want] 100 percent health," Kerr said. "If it was Game 7 of the Finals, he'd play because we're not talking about anything that could damage his career. But what we're talking about is something that if potentially could get worse and knock him out for a few weeks, then it's not worth it."
In order to be cleared for Saturday, Kerr said Durant must go through two individual workouts sessions and complete a successful morning shootaround without experiencing a setback.
"They've got my best interest," Durant said. "Obviously, I played through injuries before, but I was out for a month and I came back and got injured again. So I don't want that to happen again if I do push it. I don't want to play one game and sit out another two weeks. So I'm just trying to be smart about it. But also I'm still itching to get out there on the court. I feel good."
Shaun Livingston (right index finger sprain/hand contusion) and Matt Barnes (right ankle sprain) are also questionable for Game 3. They both practiced on Friday.
Teammates can see the toll this latest injury has taken on Durant.
"Last game, you could tell he's frustrated with having to miss," Draymond Green said. "But at the end of the day, we just want to make sure we take the right measures to make sure he's' healthy throughout this run as opposed to us trying to push through one game, push, push and push and then all of a sudden, you've got bigger problems."
Durant says "stopping and going" had caused the most discomfort, but he said there were no issues on Friday. Whether he plays on Saturday, he has adopted the proper perspective to help him cope.
"It's not life or death," Durant said. "I'm not on my deathbed. It's a calf muscle. I'll hopefully get to play here soon. I got on the court today, so it's not the end of the world. ... I want to be out there but it's not life or death. It's not career-threatening. It's just a calf strain."
