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Team USA head coach Steve Kerr remains unconcerned about Kevin Durant’s calf injury, but the Phoenix Suns star is unlikely to play in Monday’s exhibition against Australia.
Kerr told reporters after Saturday’s practice they are “taking it day by day” with Durant right now and they haven’t discussed replacing him on the roster.
Durant has been with the U.S. team since training camp opened last weekend, but he has yet to participate in a practice.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP told reporters on Tuesday he was starting to feel better after injuring his calf shortly before training camp.
“I feel better,” Durant said. “I was working out probably about 10 days before training camp [when I got hurt]. So, just working through it and taking it day by day.”
Also on Tuesday, Kerr said that Durant was doing strength and treatment work on the side and it “won’t be long before he’s out on the court with us.”
Kawhi Leonard was replaced on Team USA earlier this week by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White. Leonard dealt with a knee injury that kept him out for 12 of the final 14 games for the Los Angeles Clippers, including four of six games in their playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks.
The U.S. squad played without Durant in Wednesday’s showcase game against Canada in Las Vegas. The team is currently in Abu Dhabi where it will play two games before traveling to London for a matchup with South Sudan on July 20 in its final tune up before the Olympics.
There is not set alternate player for the American team to call up if Durant is unable to play in the Olympics. The team does have pool of 29 players to choose from in the event a replacement is needed.
Team USA will open group play in the Olympics on July 28 against Serbia.
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