Postgame at Scotiabank Arena was anything but normal. Fresh off a stunning 106-105 come-from-behind victory over the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the Warriors were somber, and they were angry.
A brutal Achilles tendon injury to superstar Kevin Durant darkened the room. After fighting to return from a calf injury, the 10-time All-Star went down in the second quarter and had to be helped to the locker room at Scotiabank Arena.
“We miss him, we just wish him a speedy recovery,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. “That’s our brother, and it’s honestly, to be honest, it kind of — it’s very deflating. It’s hard to even celebrate this win.”
It was clear from the moment that Durant grabbed at his right heel area that the injury was substantial. The fact that the Warriors were able to overcome the emotional toll and come out winners was shocking, especially in a hostile environment.
“I didn’t know what to say because on the one hand, I’m so proud of them, just the amazing heart and grit that they showed, and on the other, I’m just devastated for Kevin,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “So, it’s a bizarre feeling that we all have right now. An incredible win and a horrible loss at the same time.”
Adding insult to injury, some Raptors fans didn’t handle the situation with the grace and dignity you would expect.
Before Durant could be assisted to the locker room, cheers rained down, which turned the evening into something completely different.
“The Raptors players were telling the crowd to be quiet, out of respect, which I appreciated,” Kerr said. “Some of the fans were cheering when it happened, and I think the Raptors players understood how serious it was, and they sort of quieted the crowd. There was just a couple minutes there where it all seemed so eerie and strange, and it took maybe a little bit for both teams to collect themselves.” (Continue Reading)
