Injury to Kevon Looney “a big loss” for Warriors
OAKLAND — Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson continue to work toward returning to the court in the NBA Finals, but there is no uncertainty around Kevon Looney.
The Warriors’ fourth-year big man is sidelined for the rest of the series after suffering a non-displaced first costal cartilage fracture in Game 2 against the Raptors on Sunday night. The injury was initially described as a left chest contusion.
“I think it’s closer to the breastbone. It is part of the collarbone, from what I understand, kind of in that joint,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday. “It’s not anything that’s going to be a problem long term. But it’s going to keep him out for the rest of the series, which is obviously a big blow for us and for him.
“He’s had such a great season, such a great postseason run. Fortunately it won’t affect his future, but it’s a big loss for us.”
Looney suffered the injury after a collision with Kawhi Leonard and did not play the second half. After the game, Looney said his chests “hurts pretty bad right now,” but he also expressed optimism he would be OK to play again in the series.
But after undergoing an MRI and a CT on Monday, Looney learned his season is done.
“I feel so bad for Loon, especially,” Kerr said. “Klay and Kevin, we’re very hopeful they’re going to be back out there. But Loon, much like DeMarcus (Cousins), the second game of the playoffs, when these guys go down and especially during the postseason you just feel so badly for them.
“But the job is to move on and give your team the best chance to win. So we just meet every day and try to figure it out.”
Looney averaged career-highs this season in points (6.3), shooting percentage (62.5 percent), rebounds (5.2) and playing time (18.5 minutes). Kerr recently said he considers Looney one of the team’s “cornerstones.”
Looney will become an unrestricted free agent and has indicated re-signing with the Warriors to be his first priority. Considering the possibility Looney will attract lucrative offers elsewhere, the Warriors may be willing to spend since they have his so-called Bird Rights, which enables to team to spend over the salary cap.