Warriors' Durant out at least 4 weeks with leg injury

Golden State Warriors star forward Kevin Durant will miss at least four weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 sprained MCL and a bone bruise on his left leg, the team announced Wednesday. 

The Warriors said Durant will be re-evaluated after the four-week period and it is possible he could return before the end of the regular season. 

Durant suffered the injury with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter of Tuesday night's 112-108 loss to the Washington Wizards.

 "Following reviews of the MRI by the Warriors' medical staff, it has been determined that Durant suffered a Grade 2 Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) sprain and a tibial bone bruise," the Warriors' statement read. "He will be out of action indefinitely and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. 

There is no timetable for his return, but it has not been ruled out that he could play again before the end of the regular season." The injury occurred during a loose-ball situation when Warriors big man ZaZa Pachulia, fouled on the play by Washington's Marcin Gortat, fell backwards into the legs of Durant, who was standing in the left corner. 

The 2014 Most Valuable Player showed discomfort and Golden State coach Steve Kerr called for a timeout. 

Durant immediately left the court and headed toward the locker room. "I'm always concerned about any injury, because you never know how bad it's going to be, so we'll just wait and see and keep our fingers crossed," Kerr said after the game. 

The 28-year-old Durant signed a two-year, $54.3 million contract with the Warriors in the offseason after spending his first nine years of his NBA career with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant is averaging 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 59 games this season for the Warriors, who have the best record (50-10) in the NBA and a four-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference. 

Following Durant's injury, the Warriors agreed to a deal with veteran swingman Matt Barnes, according to ESPN. The Sacramento Kings waived Barnes on Feb. 20 after needing a roster spot to accommodate the players they received in their DeMarcus Cousins trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. Barnes averaged 7.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 54 games with the Kings. 


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