Durant leaves game with sprained ankle
February 28th, 2009 Posted in NBA basketball newsOklahoma City forward Kevin Durant sprained his right ankle in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
X-rays on Durant’s ankle came back negative, but he was not expected to return.
Durant, who came into the game as the NBA’s fourth-leading scorer, appeared to have his ankle stepped on by Dallas center Erick Dampier while drawing a foul with 7:13 left in the quarter.
He remained in the game for nearly three more minutes before walking off the court with a slight limp. Trainers examined Durant on the bench before he headed for the dressing room.
Durant, who averages just more than 26 points per game, had scored at least 30 points in nine of his last 10 games.
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Duncan to miss 3rd straight game with injured quad
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan missed his third consecutive game Friday night against Cleveland with a right quad injury, but is expected to return to the lineup as early as Sunday.
Duncan wanted to play against the Cavaliers and doctors gave the OK, but Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided the perennial All-Star is too valuable to take any chances.
Duncan’s knee stiffened just prior to Tuesday’s win over the Mavericks. He then sat out Wednesday’s victory against Portland.
“I just think he’s too important to us,” Popovich said. “When he said he couldn’t go on Tuesday, that affects me. He doesn’t say that. He doesn’t miss anything. … When he says that, that worries me.”
Popovich said Duncan could return Sunday at Portland or Monday at the Los Angeles Clippers.
Duncan leads the Spurs with 20.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. San Antonio is also without Manu Ginobili, who is expected to miss at least another week with an ankle injury.
