It was a much hyped, much anticipated return to the NBA Finals of an NBA Finals MVP, but it all went horribly wrong as Kevin Durant appeared to tear his Achilles in the first half of a dramatic game 5 win over the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals.
Durant has scored 11 points in his return to the court when he went to put on a spin move and his Achilles visibly gave way.
Durant was carried to the Warriors locker room with his team mates visibly shaken by the injury. At half time the Warriors found out the extent of the injury, and yet still managed to come out and win the game with a brilliant come from behind effort in the second half, winning a must win game 5 106-105 and forcing a game 6 in Oakland.
The injury to Durant throws up so many questions…
Was it the right decision to even play in game 5? What does this injury do to the upcoming NBA free agency with a number of teams lining up a run at signing Durant? More importantly, how does Durant come back from an injury that is devastating to every single player who has ever suffered it?
At 30 years of age Durant has many years ahead of him, but with an Achilles injury typically taking a 9-12 months to return from, and even longer to get back to any sort of mobility from, will we see Durant have to change his game if he no longer has the mobility he once had?
Could we see Durant return as a stretch 4, parked out on the perimeter as a spot up shooter, handling the ball less and utilizing his long distance shooting to spread the floor for what ever team he plays for?
Unlike most players who have suffered this injury, Durant has the skill to change his game and yet still remain an effective offensive threat on the court. In defense however, it may be a whole other story.
Hopefully we don’t find that this is a complete Achilles tear. The signs don’t look good right now, and if you are an NBA fan, you have to be hoping for all the best for Durant.
