NBA notebook: Durant doubtful for Finals opener

[May 24, 2019]  The Golden State Warriors announced Thursday it is unlikely forward Kevin Durant will be ready for the start of the NBA Finals, but they are hopeful he can return during the series.

The Finals begin on May 31, pitting the two-time defending champion Warriors against either Milwaukee or Toronto. The Raptors lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals 3-2 after defeating the Bucks 105-99 Thursday night in Milwaukee.

Sidelined with a right calf strain, Durant has not been cleared to begin on-court activities but continues to make good progress with his rehabilitation, according to the team. He missed Game 6 against the Houston Rockets in the second round of the playoffs, then all of Golden State's sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference finals.

The Warriors also provided an update about center DeMarcus Cousins, who hasn't played since April 16 because of a torn left quadriceps muscle. Cousins practiced with the team Thursday for the first time since sustaining the injury, and he is expected to return at some point during the Finals.

--Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Houston guard James Harden were unanimous selections to the 2018-19 All-NBA first team. Golden State guard Stephen Curry, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic also made the first team.

The All-NBA second team features Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Golden State forward Kevin Durant, Portland guard Damian Lillard, Toronto forward Kawhi Leonard and Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving.

Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker make up the All-NBA third team.

Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks the basketball against the Houston Rockets during the first half in game five of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

--Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson wasn't selected to an All-NBA team, making him ineligible to sign a five-year, $221 million supermax contract this summer in free agency.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement of 2017 allowed some veterans to earn supermax salaries, based on making an All-NBA team.

Thompson now will be eligible to ink a five-year deal worth $191 million, about $30 million less than he could have received had he made All-NBA. Warriors owner Joe Lacob said he is confident the team will be able to re-sign Thompson.

--Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons will lead a contingent of eight NBA players named to Australia's 2019 FIBA World Cup squad.

Simmons was born in Australia and lived there until he moved to the United States in 2013 to play high school basketball.

Other NBA players on the team are Deng Adel (Cleveland Cavaliers), Aron Baynes (Celtics), Andrew Bogut (Warriors), Jonah Bolden (76ers), Matthew Dellavedova (Cavaliers), Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz) and Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs).

--Field Level Media

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