Nurkic out, Durant still questionable
PORTLAND, Ore. — With Steve Kerr ruled out for Game 4 of the first round Monday, the Warriors still face an important question: Will Kevin Durant play?
The eight-time All-Star is questionable, a team spokesman told The Chronicle. It is possible that, with a 3-0 series lead over the Trail Blazers, Golden State might not want to bring him back until the Western Conference semifinals.
Durant, who has missed two straight games with a left calf strain, appears to be almost completely healthy. He participated in practice Friday and shootaround Saturday with no problems.
Shaun Livingston (right index finger sprain) and Matt Barnes (right ankle/foot sprain) are also questionable for Game 4. With those three sidelined, the Warriors routed Portland by 29 points in Game 2 and came from behind for a 119-113 win in Game 3. Nurkic out: Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic has been ruled out for Game 4, Portland head coach Terry Stotts told reporters Sunday.
Nurkic returned from a fractured right leg for Game 3 on Saturday, finishing with two points, 11 rebounds and four assists in 17 minutes. Having the Bosnian big man anchor the low post seemed to open up the Blazers’ offense after they mustered just 81 points in Game 2.
“He didn’t do any further damage,” Stotts said. “There was soreness, tenderness, and it just wouldn’t be wise to have him play through that.”
Saturday marked Nurkic’s first game since March 30. With Nurkic out for Game 4, Portland will again be tasked with cobbling together its frontcourt. Noah Vonleh will probably start at center, and Maurice Harkless figures to start at power forward.