The USA males’s Olympic basketball crew took to the observe courtroom Saturday with out Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, who continues to nurse a calf damage.
Now coaching in Abu Dhabi upfront of exhibition video games in opposition to Australia (Monday) and Serbia (Wednesday), Staff USA isn’t in panic mode over Durant being sidelined.
Coach Steve Kerr informed reporters Saturday that Durant would do particular person work throughout the observe.
This week, the US squad changed Kawhi Leonard with Derrick White due to damage, with White on standby for such a transfer. Kerr mentioned there isn’t a comparable Plan B for Durant.
“I do know there’s nonetheless a few weeks earlier than now we have to decide roster-wise, so we’re simply taking it day-to-day,” he mentioned.
“It’s not one thing we’ve even mentioned at this level,” Kerr mentioned of a contingency plan for Durant. “As a result of we really feel good that he’s going to be OK. It’s simply day after day.“
Durant, 35, has gained three gold medals and is among the greats in US Olympic basketball historical past.
He leads Individuals all-time in factors (435), factors per sport (19.8), discipline objectives (146), 3-point discipline objectives (74) and free throws (69). He additionally ranks third in rebounds (118) and blocks (16) and fourth in video games performed (24) and assists (71).
Previously three Olympics, he has led the event in factors averaged per sport: 20.7 (2020, Tokyo), 19.5 (2012, London) and 19.4 (2016, Rio de Janeiro).
The Individuals, vying for a fifth consecutive gold medal, open pool play on the Paris Olympics on 28 July in opposition to Serbia, adopted by video games in opposition to South Sudan (31 July) and Puerto Rico (3 August).
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