Warriors vs Rockets : The Houston Rockets need to come away with a Game 6 win if they want to extend their season. However, luckily for Houston, the task may have gotten a tad easier after Kevin Durant suffered a calf strain that will keep him of the lineup for at least Game 6, possibly more. In a 104-99 Warriors Game 5 victory, Klay Thompson led the way with 27 points on 11-of-20 shooting while knocking down five of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc. Stephen Curry also added 25 points while Durant had 22 before being forced from the contest.
OAKLAND - When the Warriors left Oakland a week ago with a 2-0 lead over the Houston Rockets, most NBA observers predicted the Western Conference Semifinals would be wrapped up fast.
Now, after two straight wins in Houston, the Rockets travel back to the Bay Area looking to take a stranglehold of the series in Game 5 Wednesday night.
Pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 6 p.m., with Warriors Outsiders, followed by SNC: Warriors Playoff Edition. Tipoff of the TNT telecast is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
The Warriors come into the matchup battered as Shaun Livingston is questionable (hip soreness) and Andre Iguodala is dealing with a knee injury. For much of the season, the Warriors have said they'll bring their A-game when the stakes are the highest. If that's the case, Wednesday will be the best chance to prove it.
The Golden State Warriors may have won Game 5 against the Rockets on Wednesday, but the team fears they may have lost Kevin Durant for some time.
During the third quarter of Wednesday's matchup, Durant left the game with a right calf strain and did not return.
In a losing effort, All-Star guard James Harden scored 31 points while dishing out eight assists. From an offensive standpoint, the Rockets struggled as they only shot 41.8 percent from the field. There are a number of fascinating storylines to watch as the two teams do battle in Game 6.
Warriors vs. Rockets Game 5 watch guide: Lineups, injuries, player usage originally appeared on nbcsportsbayarea.com
Durant suffered the injury after pulling up for a jump shot along the baseline. He rose and appeared to step on the foot of Houston's Iman Shumpert, then grabbed his lower leg before departing with trainers to the locker room. He walked away under his own power.
The two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP was averaging 35.4 points going into Game 5.
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant officially is out for the rest of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Houston Rockets with a strained right calf, coach Steve Kerr confirmed Thursday night.
The decision was made after results of an MRI earlier in the day, hours after Durant was injured during Game 5.
The Warriors said he'll be re-evaluated next week. In the past, Durant has needed about a week to recover from similar injuries.
The Warriors lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 with Game 6 slated Friday night in Houston. Should the Warriors advance to the Western Conference finals, Durant may not be available for the opening games, but Kerr expressed hope he would be able to play.
