LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
The 2017 NBA Playoffs will start on April 15 and the season is set to end with the 2017 NBA Finals, which will start on June 1. Retired NBA player Charles Barkley, 54, recently discussed the chances of the Golden State Warriors being without Kevin Durant, 28, for the playoffs.
Durant is set to sideline the star for at least four weeks because he suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain and tibial bone bruise. On the March 2, Thursday, episode of "Inside the NBA," Barkley weight in on Durant's knee injury.
"Without Kevin Durant, they've got zero chance at winning the championship," Barkley said. "Actually, with the additions the Cavaliers have made, they probably are the leader the clubhouse. But without Kevin Durant, they've got no chance at winning the championship. Zero."
Barkley emphasized that the Warriors will not be able to get out of the West if they do not have Durant. The former NBA player added that it was just his opinion.
In a month, Durant will be reevaluated. While the Warriors did not establish a timetable for his return, the team noted there was a chance he could play again before the regular season ends.
On March 1, Wednesday, Durant was forced to leave the game between the Warriors and the Washington Wizards. He underwent an MRI after his teammate Zaza Pachulia, 33, accidentally fell into his knee in the first quarter of the game.
Pachulia plays internationally for Georgia although he holds Turkish citizenship. Before playing for the Warriors with Durant, he played for Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks.
On the other hand, Durant played one college basketball season for the University of Texas before the Seattle SuperSonics, which became Oklahoma City Thunder, selected him in the 2007 NBA draft. He played nine seasons for the Thunder before joining the Warriors.
Watch a video of the accident involving Durant and Pachulia here:
