Why isn’t Kevin Durant playing against Serbia in USA Basketball Showcase
Team USA takes on Serbia in their third exhibition of the USA Basketball Showcase but injury concerns surround one of the biggest stars on the team.
Team USA’s pre-Olympic tour continues today in Abu Dhabi as LeBron James, Steph Curry and company get set to take on Nikola Jokic and Serbia from Etihad Stadium. While the court is set to be full of stars, there could be one missing from Team USA’s roster.
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KD battling calf strain
Kevin Durant has been listed as day-to-day with a calf strain since the start of training camp in Las Vegas early this month. There is still no word out of Team USA’s camp about the status of Durant today, but from all indications he didn’t take part in practice between the Australia game on Monday and the Serbia game today, which would put him in doubt for the game in the UAE.
Coach Steve Kerr said the plan is to show “an abundance of caution” with the three time gold medalist, but getting some time on the court with the rest of the team before the Opening Ceremony in Paris will be of the upmost importance.
The injury is not expected to be a serious one, but with the Olympics starting at the end of the month time in ticking for Durant. The two time NBA Champion missed Team USA’s first exhibition against Canada in Las Vegas and was out on Monday in Abu Dhabi for the United States’ game against Australia.
USA Basketball already sent Kawhi Leonard home after a brief stint in training camp. He suffered a knee injury at the end of the LA Clippers playoff run, and according to managing director Grant Hill, he wasn’t fit enough to be a part of the team. Coach Kerr has said that he’s not concerned about Durant at the moment.
Today’s game against Serbia is at noon ET and will be Team USA’s final game in Abu Dhabi before they head to London on the last stop of their Showcase. They will take on South Sudan on Saturday at 3:00 p.m ET and Germany on Monday at the same time.