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After a long season of highs and lows, the NBA Finals are finally here. The 2019 Finals will see the Toronto Raptors take on the Golden State Warriors, and the Warriors enter the series as the heavy favorites. Steve Kerr's back-to-back champions are regarded as one of the best teams in NBA history, while Toronto is making their first Finals appearance in franchise history.
However, despite the Warriors holding the advantage in terms of talent and experience, injuries could play a big part. The Warriors have been struck by injuries in recent weeks, and the participation of a number of key players is in doubt ahead of the Finals. So, ahead of Game 1 on Thursday, here are all the latest injury updates you need to know.
Kevin Durant: Calf Injury - Could Return Next Week
Kevin Durant was enjoying a stellar start to the 2019 postseason, although he has not played since sustaining a calf injury during Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Warriors have won all five games without the 2014 MVP, but Steve Kerr has highlighted his desire for Durant to return as soon as possible.
Durant has travelled with the Warriors to Toronto, however, ESPN is reporting that the 30-year-old will miss the first two games of the series:
Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant traveled on the team's charter to Toronto on Tuesday ahead of Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, even though he has been officially ruled out of Game 1 with a strained right calf.
The All-Star forward has been shooting on his own but has yet to do any on-court work with his teammates as he continues the rehab process, coach Steve Kerr said. The Warriors said Friday that they were hopeful that Durant could return at some point in the series.
DeMarcus Cousins: Torn Quad - Questionable for Game 1
DeMarcus Cousins has been out for the Warriors since tearing his quad back in April during the first-round series against the LA Clippers. Cousins was initially expected to miss the remainder of the playoffs, although he has progressed well, and Steve Kerr has revealed that the 29-year-old has returned to full training:
DeMarcus has done an amazing job coming back from the injury, which we felt at the time was season-ending. He's done an incredible job of rebounding, rehabbing. He's scrimmaged a couple times this week, he's pain free. So it's more a matter of rhythm, timing, and conditioning.
Cousins is listed as questionable for Game 1, and if he takes to the court, he is unlikely to play big minutes. However, his chances of playing a big role in the latter stages of the series look good, and his return is a major boost for Golden State.
Kawhi Leonard: Knock - Will Play In Game 1
Toronto fans were concerned by Kawhi Leonard's occasional limp during the Eastern Conference Finals win over the Milwaukee Bucks, although Nick Nurse has downplayed any suggestions that Leonard is carrying an injury. The 27-year-old will line-up for the Raptors on Thursday and his performances will be pivotal to Toronto's hopes of bringing home a first NBA Championship.
OG Anunoby: Abdomen - Should Return Next Week
OG Anunoby has not played since undergoing an emergency appendectomy in mid-April, although the 21-year-old could be set for a surprise return. Head coach Nick Nurse has stated that the youngster may be available in around 10 days, which would put him in line for a potential return for Game 4 on June 7. The forward is officially listed as questionable, and it seems unlikely that he will play this week.
