Kerr confirms KD out remainder of Rockets series

Kevin Durant is done for the rest of the Western Conference semifinals, and head coach Steve Kerr said the Golden State Warriors must grasp the task ahead: Replace the best player in the NBA.

“He’s been the best player in the NBA in the playoffs. He’s been phenomenal,” Kerr said Thursday night, confirming Durant is several days or more from being able to play basketball.

A return could potentially come in the Western Conference finals, but the Warriors, leading the Houston Rockets 3-2 in the semifinals entering Friday’s Game 6 at Houston, still need a win without Durant.

“Well, we’ll just find somebody on the bench who can give us 35 points, two blocks and 11 boards and nine assists,” Kerr said facetiously Thursday night.

The Warriors announced Thursday afternoon that after an MRI, Durant was diagnosed with a mild right calf strain and is not expected to be re-evaluated until next week. “It’s obviously a huge loss. Our team has a lot of confidence,” Kerr said. “We trust each other. They’ve won championships together. So we come out and give it our best shot.”

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Without Durant, the Warriors rallied to win Game 5 in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday. But all is not yet lost. They are also 29-4 in games without Durant in which guard Steph Curry is available.

Durant’s status for the remainder of the postseason — if Golden State closes out the Rockets and advances to the Western Conference finals — is up in the air. Curry is also dealing with a dislocated finger.

“Guys who haven’t had opportunities yet (in this series) will have opportunities,” Kerr said. Durant sank a fadeaway jumper with 2:05 left in the third to give the Warriors a 68-65 lead, then began hobbling as he turned to head up the court.

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