Team USA head coach Steve Kerr has announced that Kevin Durant will be sidelined at the start of the training camp for the Paris Olympics due to a minor calf strain. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, this decision is made “out of an abundance of caution.”
Kerr mentioned that Durant’s condition is being monitored daily.
While the injury is not severe, Durant’s participation in the U.S.’s first exhibition game against Canada on Wednesday is uncertain, as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Joe Vardon.
The U.S. team’s first Olympic game is scheduled for July 28 against Serbia. Once the final roster is submitted to Olympic governors later this month, no player replacements will be allowed.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics missed the opening day of training camp on Friday due to an excused absence. Additionally, Team USA is taking a careful approach with Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard, who are both managing knee issues.
Durant, 35, is the all-time leading scorer for Team USA. Last season, he averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and five assists for the Phoenix Suns.
