Kevin Durant injury update: Warriors forward likely out for months

Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors' superstar forward, could be ruled out for months after hyperextending his left knee during the team's 112-108 road loss against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. Though Durant's MRI report is due Wednesday, the Warriors are already bracing themselves for tough news, per reports.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Warriors, who have already signed veteran Matt Barnes as a temporary replacement, are preparing for the possibility of Durant being ruled out for the rest of the regular reason. "Team officials and members of Durant’s inner circle were expressing fear early Wednesday morning that the severity of Durant’s injury could preclude a return to the Warriors line-up before the start of the Western Conference playoffs in six weeks, league sources told The Vertical.

"Some close to Durant feared the damage could side line him even longer, league sources said. Nevertheless, doctors were evaluating the test results and the Warriors expected to make a public announcement later Wednesday," Wojnarowski wrote in his report published in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

Kevin Durant injury update: Warriors preparing for bad news

Durant suffered the injury Tuesday when Warriors big man Zaza Pachulia, while battling for a loose ball with Wizards centre Marcin Gortat, slid backwards into the forward's left leg. Durant grimaced with pain and awkwardly hopped away from Pachulia, while clutching his left leg. "I'm always concerned about any injury, because you never know how bad it's going to be. So we'll just wait and see and keep our fingers crossed," coach Steve Kerr told reporters, via ESPN, after Golden State suffered their 10th loss of the season.

Kevin Durant, who joined the Warriors last offseason on a two-year max contract, leads the team in scoring (25.3 points per game), rebounds (8.2 per game), blocks (1.6 per game) and field goal percentage (53.7). Prior to Tuesday's injury, the 2013-14 NBA MVP was in the middle of his most productive season since entering the league in 2007. Stay tuned for the latest Kevin Durant injury update.