Team USA is not interested after an injury Kevin Durant is sitting out of another practice

Last week, the American men's national team made the difficult decision to release Kawhi Leonard since he was still suffering from a knee injury that kept him out of the Clippers' last season in April. Now, in the center of the world in Abu Dhabi, they seem to be in the same situation as the star Kevin Durant.

The Suns forward missed training again this past Saturday with a calf strain and looks set to miss Australia's friendly on Monday. Despite his condition, coach Steve Kerr has played down any concerns about his player, and is confident that KD will be ready to perform at the Olympics.

“I know it's still a few weeks before we make a decision on the roster,” the Golden State coach said before their two-game schedule this week. “So we're just taking it day by day.”

Steve Kerr confirms @FadeawayWorld that Kevin Durant will not be part of Team USA's game against Australia tomorrow

“He won't play tomorrow. I haven't talked to the coach yet, but if he does anything, it would be easy. But yes, he won't play.” pic.twitter.com/nCmp9H0Zcq

– Ishaan Bhattacharya (@IshaanBhatta) July 14, 2024

At least for now, the team doesn't seem to have a backup plan in case the veteran's health doesn't improve before heading to Paris. “It is not something we have discussed yet because we feel that very well [Durant] it will be fine,” explained Kerr this weekend.

Durant did not comment on his current situation, but was asked how he views this partnership with Stephen Curry and LeBron James as the “last gasp” of the trio of stars. “Nah,” he told ESPN with a smile on Saturday.

“These boys are still playing at a high level. I feel like Bron can play 4 or 5 more and be here in 2028 [the Los Angeles Olympics]. Steph is still playing good football. I'm doing well too,” he confirmed. “I don't want this to be a farewell trip or just the three of us. It's about trying to make it five in a row.”

As for Curry, he is excited about this opportunity ahead of his Olympic debut. “Yeah, it's really cool,” she said. “I've played with Team USA before in the world championships, but I don't know what to expect when it comes to this challenge and this experience. And so I had the jitters of the first practice. I'm sure I'll have it for the game [Wednesday] because I know it means a lot.”

The Boston superstar arrives at Team USA's training camp in Abu Dhabi to fill in for the injured Kawhi Leonard ahead of the Olympic Games.

Derrick White was visiting his family in Denver, Colorado when he received a call from the men's basketball team saying he had been called up to play for his country in the upcoming Olympics in Paris. According to the Celtics star, he was planning to spend this week at a desert beach resort, specifically in Cabo, Mexico.

Now, he has already arrived in Abu Dhabi in the Arabian Gulf and is preparing to represent Team USA in the biggest sports event in France. Four days before his arrival on Sunday, he was informed that Kawhi Leonard needs to be replaced as he continues to recover from his knee.

Derrick already knew he was considered the top prospect, but he didn't receive an official call as the Clippers player had already reported to training camp and was feeling good during the team's first practice in Las Vegas. .

“I was thinking when everyone found out when [ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski] he posted it on Twitter, my agent and I were talking about it a little bit over the summer,” White said. “But I thought Kawhi would continue. But when I saw everything that happened and got the call, I was ready to go.”