In the biggest game of the NBA playoffs to date, the Golden State Warriors outlasted the Houston Rockets, 104-99, to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. But that was only half of the news: Warriors star Kevin Durant strained his calf late in the third quarter and likely will miss some time, pending the results of a Thursday MRI. Could that swing the balance of the series and the entire playoffs? Waiting on the other side are the Milwaukee Bucks, who finished off the Boston Celtics in their Eastern Conference series in impressive fashion. Meanwhile, the Lakers are still without a coach.
It was vital for the Warriors to hang onto Game 5 at home, with or without Durant, and they were able to do so — just barely.
i have absolutely no clue what happened in that 4th quarter i legit blacked out after the injury
there was so much hanging in balance
1) GS dynasty
2) the series
3) Durant’s free agency
4) Knicksin the end: Death, Taxes, Draymond when the Warriors backs are up against the wall
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 9, 2019
Of course, the Durant injury might not mean the end of a dynasty. Remember, the Warriors won 73 games three years ago without him.
“The Warriors are worse without KD, but can they win without him? I believe the answer is unequivocally yes. The Warriors in the last 3 years are 29-4 without Kevin Durant when Steph plays. To me they’re not done without Kevin Durant.” — @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/MC9ZXqxszM
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) May 9, 2019
On Wednesday night’s undercard, the Bucks didn’t leave any room for drama, smacking down the Celtics for the fourth straight time.
The Bucks are dancing on the Celtics’ grave pic.twitter.com/qFtX2MUuPx
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 9, 2019
The Celtics’ season ended very poorly, but at least Boston made the playoffs. The Lakers’ mess has extended into the offseason, first with Monty Williams and now Tyronn Lue declining to become their coach.
Ty Lue was the best candidate to be the next head coach of the Lakers and they lost him over details that should’ve been hammered out by now. Whoever they get now is clearly third place, befitting a franchise that has gone from the gold to bronze standard. https://t.co/IzrSxW5Fo5
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 9, 2019
The postseason continues tonight, with the 76ers and Blazers looking to keep their seasons alive with Game 6 victories at home.
LET’S BRING IT TONIGHT, PHILLY!
📺: @ESPNNBA
📻: @975TheFanatic
🌍: https://t.co/XvDA9SGLJ1
📱: #PhilaUnite | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/1ELaKVWU3A— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 9, 2019
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