Warriors Win is overshadowed by Kevin Durant's injury

The Warriors, who have three games out of two for the Raptors in the best-of-seven series, with the sixth game scheduled for Thursday night, will certainly face the next few days with questions about their handling of Durant, who had not played since May. 8, when he hurt his right calf during the second series of Warriors against the Houston Rockets.

Coach Steve Kerr declined to clarify the decision-making process that led to Durant's return for the fifth match. He instead entrusted Bob Myers, president of the team's basketball operations, who simply stated that it was a "collaborative decision" without offering details.

"I do not think there are people to blame," Myers said, "but I understand this world, and if you have to do it, you can blame me."

Myers added that Durant had spent "four weeks with a medical team" involving "several M.R.I.s" and "several doctors". The process was overseen by Rick Celebrini, Warriors Director of Sports Medicine and Performance. Myers seemed to anticipate that the organization would be scrutinized.

"The people who have worked with him and have him laundered are good people," said Myers.

Durant, 10-time All-Star and one of the best scorers in the league, can become a free agent this summer. He also has a player option on his contract with Golden State for next season. Speculation about his future has been swirling for months – a tricky subplot while the Warriors were chasing another championship – but his injury could complicate matters.

"I'm just going to pray for the guy," said Klay Thompson, Guardian of the Warriors, "and I know he'll be back even stronger."

Nobody needed to call him back, but Durant was outstanding during the 12 minutes he spent on the pitch. He made three of five shots, including three 3-point attempts, and scored 11 points. He caught two rebounds. He bit with Fred VanVleet of the Raptors. Everything seemed and felt very familiar. Durant was so good, in fact, that his performance seemed to fuel the false story that he had been too painful in his rehab, that he had somehow been reluctant to make a comeback.