The participation of Kevin Durant in any of Team USA’s preparatory exhibition games for the Paris Olympics has been notably absent, and a specific NBA analyst foresees that his non-involvement will persist throughout the tournament.
According to insights shared by ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst, there are uncertainties surrounding Durant’s physical wellbeing, with doubts being raised about his presence in Team USA’s initial match against Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic.
During an appearance on SportsCenter, Windhorst speculated, “I have a feeling that Kevin Durant will not be suiting up against Serbia. Following a discussion with Steve Kerr, it was agreed that Durant needs more time to recuperate from his calf strain. Although there is optimism about his return, the odds of him playing against Serbia seem slim.”
Windhorst further emphasized, “Steve Kerr explicitly stated that there are no plans to replace Durant on the roster. While there may be considerations for alternative options, the likelihood of such a scenario unfolding appears minimal as Kevin Durant is an integral part of this team.”
Steve Kerr has categorically affirmed that there is “no chance” Durant will be excluded from the Paris journey, however, the coaching staff is keen on him completing a series of practice sessions before his comeback, as reported by Grant Afseth of SI.
Moreover, in a recent discussion, an inquisitive reporter asked NBA rival Jrue Holiday about potential concerns regarding Durant’s integration into the team midway through the competition.
In response, Holiday expressed, “Not at all… He’s Kevin Durant, my pal.”
Despite Durant’s absence, Team USA boasts an exceptionally talented roster, which should compensate adequately for his temporary unavailability.
If the USA manages to secure the gold in Paris, Durant will set a new record for the most Men’s Olympic basketball gold medals in history, having previously triumphed in 2012, 2016, and 2021.
