The wait is officially over.
Kevin Durant will start for the Warriors in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr announced Monday before the game.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr says he plans to start Kevin Durant and play him in "short bursts" to start.— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) June 10, 2019
Following shootaround on Monday morning, Kerr said that KD would be a game-time decision.
Soon thereafter, NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole broke the news that Durant would definitely be returning to the starting lineup.
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The reigning two-time NBA Finals MVP hasn't played since he sustained a right calf strain late in the third quarter of the Warriors' Game 5 win over the Rockets in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
It's been four weeks and five days since Durant has suited up.
"You worry about the conditioning," Kerr told the media after shootaround. "The skill is obviously undeniable. He's a guy who can get his shot off anytime he wants.
"He's been in similar situations with us where he's had long layoffs. He's Kevin Durant. If we have him out there, he'll be a threat. We know that."
From Game 3 of the Dubs' first-round series against the Clippers through Game 4 against Houston, KD averaged 38.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists, while shooting 51.5 percent overall and 43.3 percent from deep.
You should not expect him to be at that level on Monday night, but then again ...
... he's Kevin Durant.
[RELATED: Iguodala's interesting response to question on Dubs' future]
The 10-time All-Star is arguably the best player in the world, and he has been deeply missed against Kawhi Leonard -- who many believe is the best player in the world.
With the Warriors on the brink of elimination, Durant has the opportunity to add to his legend.
The NBA truly is where amazing happens.
