Durant likely out as West finals tip off

Kevin Durant will likely still be nursing a strained right calf when Golden State begins the next step in its chase for a third straight title: the Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers.

Kevin Durant watched from home in the Bay Area as the Golden State Warriors finished off James Harden and the Houston Rockets on the road.

The two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP has a bit more cheerleading to do before he gets back on the court.

Durant is likely to miss Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers while he recovers from a strained right calf. Durant was injured in Game 5 against Houston.

“Everyone needs to slow down a little bit on the Kevin stuff. He hasn’t even stepped on the floor yet,” coach Steve Kerr said Monday, a day before Game 1, noting a more extensive update would come Thursday.

Golden State showed it can win without KD: Stephen Curry came alive at last in the second half of the clincher at Houston, scoring all 33 of his points after the break.

Curry and Splash Brother Klay Thompson will look to build off strong performances in that final game against the Rockets to lead the top-seeded Warriors. The two-time defending champions are seeking a fifth straight trip to the NBA Finals.

They will face another formidable backcourt with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum when the best-of-seven series begins Tuesday night at Oracle Arena.

There are several intriguing storylines in this matchup, too, like Portland star Damian Lillard coming home to Oakland with a chance to shine on the big stage in the final season at Oracle before the Warriors move across the bay to play in San Francisco next season.

And how about the Curry brothers? Steph’s little brother, Seth, plays for the Trail Blazers.

The Warriors swept the Blazers in the first round two years ago during a remarkable 16-1 postseason run.

Lillard missed his first six 3-point tries Sunday then swished one midway through the fourth when Portland needed him most. The Trail Blazers overcame a 17-point deficit on Denver’s home court to outlast the Nuggets for a 100-96 win.

They have reached their first conference final since 2000, when Portland lost in seven games to Kobe Bryant and the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.

“This is arguably the biggest win that we’ve had in the franchise for a long time. To be a part of it, to do it the way we did, I’m thrilled,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. “I’m really happy for our guys. As a coach, I think you experience the joy of the team, having different guys come in.”