NBA Champion accuses media of unfair coverage of Kevin Durant’s playoff injury

Durant had knee and ankle issues during the series. He played in Game 2 and scored 23 points, but another injury slowed him down.

Houston eventually lost the series in six games. He suffered a sprained ankle and a bone bruise late in Game 2, which forced him to miss the rest of the series.

Critics asked why he was not sitting on the bench during Game 3. Coach Ime Udoka explained that Durant was in the locker room getting urgent treatment, including using an underwater treadmill to reduce swelling.

ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Ramona Shelburne said nobody on the team was upset by his absence because they knew he was working hard to return.

Haywood reminded critics of Durant's long history of playing through pain. He told Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson that the media did a poor job covering the injury.

“People were saying he was faking, but the man has a bone bruise,” he said. "We saw this guy risk his Achilles for a team he was leaving; why would we question him now?"

Haywood said Durant's history of playing while hurt should have ended all doubts.

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