Durant making most of extended time off
Kevin Durant is more than ready for the Western Conference semifinals to begin.
The Warriors reaped many benefits from their first-round sweep of Portland, and none more important than this: Durant had time to get himself right. He returned from his strained calf Monday night in Game 4, and will have had a week to alternately rest and sharpen his game in practice before Tuesday’s second-round opener.
Durant has still spent time in the training room, but he spoke confidently about his physical condition as he peered ahead to Golden State’s next series.
“I feel great out there,” he said. “I’m putting the injury stuff behind me.”
Durant is understandably weary of healthrelated questions. He has missed 21 of his team’s past 26 games, dating to the sprained knee he suffered Feb. 28 against Washington. That sidelined him for the next 19 games.
He came back to play the final three games of the regular season and the playoff opener April 16 against Portland — before the calf knocked him out again. He missed two games, then returned to play 20 minutes in Monday night’s series clincher against the Blazers.
The outing was altogether modest by Durant’s standards. He took only seven shots, scored 10 points and mostly stretched his muscles as the Warriors seized a big, early lead and cruised to victory.
Still, those are the only 20 minutes of game action Durant has had in nearly two weeks. So they were vital in his mind.
“It’s great I was able to get out there and feel a little rhythm, a little energy on the court,” he said. “Now I go into the next series with a little something to bank on. …
“I’m glad at least I got 20 minutes. Twenty was better than nothing.”
Acting head coach Mike Brown wasn’t sure if Durant will be on a minutes restriction in Game 1 of the West semifinals, but Brown acknowledged the schedule worked out to Durant’s advantage.
Warriors players had two days off after finishing off Portland — Durant attended the GiantsDodgers game Thursday afternoon. Ron Kroichick is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rkroichick@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ronkroichick