Warriors’ Kevin Durant Suffers MCL Sprain, Tibial Bone Bruise; Will Be Re-evaluated In 4 Weeks

The Golden State Warriors lost forward Kevin Durant to a hyperextended left knee early in the first quarter of Tuesday night’s 112-108 road loss to the Washington Wizards.

Warriors’ Kevin Durant Suffers Hyperextended Knee

The team later specified in an update that Durant suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain and a tibial bone bruise. The forward will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the Warriors said, adding he could return before the playoffs begin.

Durant, 28, is scheduled to undergo an MRI. His injury occurred when Warriors center  Zaza Pachulia fell backwards into Durant’s knee after being pushed by Wizards center Marcin Gortat. Durant initially attempted to play through the injury, but headed to the locker room just minutes later after the pain persisted.

“We’ll know more tomorrow,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game. ” … I’m always concerned about any injury, because you never know how bad it’s gonna be. So we’ll just wait and see and keep our fingers crossed.”

To offer a comparison, USA Today Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt noted that Milwaukee Bucks forward Michael Beasley suffered a brutal hyperextended left knee on Monday, and his MRI revealed that he would be out at least three games before being re-evaluated.

Durant, who played in his eighth consecutive All-Star Game two weekends ago, is averaging 25.8 points (on a career-high 53.8% shooting), 8.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.7 blocks for the Warriors (50-10), who lead the Western Conference.

The Warriors have added Matt Barnes to the roster in the meantime. They next visit the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.

OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 04: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors claps his hands during their preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers at ORACLE Arena on October 4, 2016 in Oakland, California.