NBA Finals Game 5 Injury Report: Kevin Durant could return, Klay Thompson update and more

After a long and grueling season, the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors are currently fighting it out to be crowned 2019 NBA champions. The Warriors entered the series as heavy favorites, although the Raptors have raced into a 3-1 lead - putting the franchise on the verge of a first championship.

Ahead of Game 5, a number of players are continuing to battle injury problems, and here are all the latest updates you need to know.

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Kevin Durant - Calf Injury - Game Time Decision

Kevin Durant's continued absence has been a huge blow for the Warriors

Kevin Durant was the standout performer during the opening weeks of the 2019 playoffs. Over 11 appearances, the 30-year-old averaged 34.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, although he has not played since sustaining a calf injury during Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Durant's injury has been a source of frustration for the Warriors throughout the Finals, although ESPN's Nick Friedell is reporting that KD could return tonight:

The Golden State Warriors have listed forward Kevin Durant as questionable for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on Monday.

The news comes after the Warriors star practiced with his teammates for the first time since injuring his right calf on May 8 against the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals. Head coach Steve Kerr was optimistic that Durant could play Monday if he went through Sunday's practice without any issues.

If Durant did get substantial work in Sunday, it wasn't much. On top of the fact that Durant walked to the floor after the rest of his teammates, once cameras and media left the arena bowl, he was one of the first players back into the Warriors' locker room after the team's brief workout.

If Durant makes a return tonight, the Warriors are likely to limit his minutes.

Klay Thompson - Hamstring Injury - Will Play in Game 5

Klay Thompson will play as the Warriors look to overturn a 3-1 series deficit

A hamstring injury forced Klay Thompson to miss Game 3 of the Finals, although he returned during the Dubs' 105-92 Game 4 defeat to the Raptors. Thompson played 42 minutes during the loss, scoring 28 points, although the 29-year-old looked in discomfort at the end of the game. Nevertheless, Thompson told ESPN that he will be active for Game 5:

(The Injury) It didn't affect me. Like I said before, it's the Finals. It's a long season. You play 100-plus games, you're going to be banged up. But you just got to dig deep. No one's going to feel sorry for you, so you just got to go out there, man up and play to the best of your ability.

Despite his ongoing hamstring issue, Thompson is likely to once again play upwards of 40 minutes as the Warriors battle to keep their hopes of winning a third consecutive championship alive.

OG Anunoby - Abdomen - Available for Selection

OG Anunoby has missed Toronto's entire run to the NBA Finals

OG Anunoby has not played since undergoing an emergency appendectomy in mid-April. The 21-year-old was cleared to play last week after fully overcoming the injury, and is available for selection. However, Nick Nurse appears content with his current rotation, and Anunoby is unlikely to take to the court during the Finals.

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Fred VanVleet - Face Injury - Will Play in Game 5

Fred VanVleet exited Game 4 after being hit with an elbow to the face

Fred VanVleet left the court in Game 4 after being hit in the face by Shaun Livingston's elbow. The contact was enough to draw blood from near his right eye, and the backup point guard also lost a tooth. However, VanVleet managed to avoid a concussion, and while he will be required to wear a mouth guard, he will be active during tonight's game.