Kevin Durant’s injury became a major topic during Houston’s playoff loss, but new comments from a Houston Rockets broadcaster changed the discussion around the veteran star.
Durant started the playoffs after one of his healthiest years. The Houston Rockets forward played 78 games and worked hard even though he turned 37. Former NBA center Brendan Haywood was surprised by how people reacted to Durant's injury.
Haywood criticized the media coverage after Houston lost to the Lakers. Some reports said his teammates were not updated on his health, and people online doubted if he was really hurt.
“I think the media did a poor job covering his injury,” Haywood said during a broadcast appearance. “There were reports saying his teammates didn't know what was going on.”
Durant had knee and ankle issues during the series. He played in Game 2 and scored 23 points, but another injury slowed him down.
Houston eventually lost the series in six games. He suffered a sprained ankle and a bone bruise late in Game 2, which forced him to miss the rest of the series.
Critics asked why he was not sitting on the bench during Game 3. Coach Ime Udoka explained that Durant was in the locker room getting urgent treatment, including using an underwater treadmill to reduce swelling.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Ramona Shelburne said nobody on the team was upset by his absence because they knew he was working hard to return.
Haywood reminded critics of Durant's long history of playing through pain. He told Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson that the media did a poor job covering the injury.
“People were saying he was faking, but the man has a bone bruise,” he said. "We saw this guy risk his Achilles for a team he was leaving; why would we question him now?"
Haywood said Durant's history of playing while hurt should have ended all doubts.
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