The pivotal Game 5 match-up between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets followed decisive victories in Games 3 and 4, despite this adversity the Warriors were still able to pull out a Game 5 victory, defeating the Houston Rockets, 104-99.
Despite losing Kevin Durant for the entire fourth quarter due to a right calf strain, the Warriors rode Stephen Curry’s 20-point second half effort to hold off the Rockets’ surge to take a 3-2 series lead.
With the Warriors leading 102-99 in crunch time, Golden State nearly suffered a costly turnover before Kevon Looney recovered a loose ball and Klay Thompson then converted on a layup to close out the game for the Warriors.
Its still uncertain how severe Kevin Durant’s injury is but it is apparently a mild right calf strain that he suffered in third quarter of game 5 that will sideline him at least a couple games according to Warriors coach Steve Kerr which could prove to be a tremendous blow to their title hopes.
The implications of Durant’s injury extend beyond the playoffs. He will be the most sought-after free agent this summer if he chooses to opt out of his contract. Durant has won the Most Valuable Player Award for the league (2014) and the N.B.A. finals (2017, 2018). He went into Wednesday’s game averaging a team-high 35.4 points per game in the playoffs.
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