No spot on bench? It’s league policy

TORONTO — Over the past month, many NBA fans have taken to Twitter to ask why Warriors forward Kevin Durant — out with a strained right calf — doesn’t sit on the bench with his teammates during games.

To some, Durant’s decision to watch the games on TV in the locker room reinforces a perceived disconnect between the two-time Finals MVP and the Warriors. However, that assumption overlooks the fact that Durant doesn’t necessarily make the choice to not join his teammates on the bench. It’s league policy.

Durant receives treatment on his injured calf in the locker room during games, but he wouldn’t have a seat on the bench, anyway. There is enough space on Golden State’s bench only for eight players who aren’t playing. Because the Warriors have 15 players on the roster, their 13 active players have spots on the bench and the two inactive players watch from the locker room.

The NBA has made a point in recent years to limit extraneous people on the floor. Although the league at times let the Warriors get away with having a player sit on the floor in the regular season, it became more diligent during the playoffs about ensuring all players on the sideline were seated.

Early in the postseason, after center DeMarcus Cousins — then out with a torn left quadriceps muscle — sat on the floor during a game, NBA officials notified the Warriors’ vice president of communications, Raymond Ridder, that such a practice was against league policy.

“It’s a safety hazard,” Ridder said. “If a player dove for a loose ball and hit someone sitting on the baseline, either of them could get hurt.”

Warriors guard Klay Thompson missed Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday with a strained left calf, but he sat on the bench because he was on the active roster. Durant has been inactive for each of the nine games he has missed with a calf injury. Although injured players have the option of sitting in the second row behind the team bench, Durant’s long legs would make it tough for him to sit there comfortably.

The Warriors, down 3-1 to the Raptors, are holding out hope that Durant will return for Game 5 on Monday night. He practiced with the team Sunday afternoon for the first time since getting injured in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against Houston on May 8.