Team USA hasn’t had Kevin Durant in action through their five exhibition games across three continents in the run-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics. After USA’s win over Germany, journalists asked Steve Kerr about possibly bringing an injury replacement for Durant, a notion which was shut down emphatically.
Steve Kerr: “There’s no thought of replacing Kevin.”
Jrue Holiday helped Kerr answer the question after the media tried following up, making it clear that Durant would not be sent home.
Jrue Holiday: “That’s Kevin Durant, my boy. What are we talking about? That’s KD. He needs to be out there.”
https://twitter.com/ohnohedidnt24/status/1815508497615737296
Kevin Durant suffered a calf injury during Team USA’s training camp in Las Vegas. He has been sidelined for all five exhibition wins that the USA has achieved. Fadeaway World saw Durant go through his full shootaround routine prior to Team USA vs. Serbia in Abu Dhabi, proving that Durant sitting out might still be more precautionary than anything.
Durant is the most decorated men’s basketball player in Team USA history, competing for a record fourth Gold medal while already sitting atop the all-time scoring charts for the national team at the Olympics. While LeBron James has become the face of Team USA and will lead the country’s Olympic contingent as the flagbearer during the opening ceremony, Durant is the greatest Team USA player ever.
He won Gold medals in 2012, 2016, and 2020, with 2024 giving him a chance to win four in a row. In addition, Durant’s 435 points rank as the highest all-time, though LeBron could supplant Carmelo Anthony for No. 2, currently sitting 63 points behind Melo with 273 points.
Kevin Durant Might Not Play In USA’s Opening Olympic Game
Brian Windhorst, who’s been traveling with Team USA all summer long, confirmed the concerns around Durant’s calf and said there’s a high chance KD misses the USA’s opening matchup in the Olympics against Serbia.
“I think they’ll be playing Serbia without Kevin Durant. They were hoping he’d be able to play one of these two games in London. He was a scratch tonight. Steve Kerr met with him today and they decided he needs more time with that strained calf.”
“They’re going to be very cautious here. One thing that Steve Kerr made very clear is that he will not be replaced on the roster. They technically don’t have to turn in their final roster till Saturday, so they could fly in a replacement, but that’s not going to happen. Kevin Durant will be on this team and they hope he’ll be able to play.”
"I think [Team USA] gonna be playing Serbia without Kevin Durant… Steve Kerr met with him today and they decided he needs more time with that strained calf… They could fly in a replacement [for KD], that's not gonna happen."
– Brian Windhorstpic.twitter.com/uHnrWF6Ybk
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 23, 2024
Durant would be an easy offensive fit into Team USA despite not playing with the team through their five exhibition games. His mobility will be a big question, as Durant has previously had a major calf injury which led to an Achilles tear shortly after. Team USA will not take that risk with the Phoenix Suns’ star either, so we likely won’t see Durant play until he’s given the all-clear.
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