NBA Finals 2019 LIVE: Kevin Durant injury hurts Golden State\'s effectiveness in Toronto

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NBA Finals 2019 LIVE: Kevin Durant injury hurts Golden State's effectiveness in Toronto

Toronto 10-point run

Klay Thompson hits his fifth three-pointer to end ten Raptors points straight.

The home side still trails by seven points (73-80) with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

There's a nice energy out on the court, high intensity and every half-chance under the basket being fought for on both sides.

Toronto are playing hard-hitting basketball right now, complete with what is becoming a bit of a signature move - the full-speed bank shot that leaves you sliding on the ground into the crowd.

At the same time, Golden State are taking every hit that is thrown their way. Absorbing the immense pressure that comes with an away Finals game with the Championship on the line...

They are still ahead. For now.

A lot of support and anger on social media

Social media is bubbling over the initial reaction of the Toronto Raptors crowd when Kevin Durant went down clutching his leg.

A lot of support coming through for KD, though, including from players past and present who are the only people who truly know what is going through his head right now.

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Durant injury update

ESPN's Doris Burke says Kevin Durant will not return to the game due to a lower right leg injury.

The Golden State star is due to have an MRI scan tomorrow to evaluate the extent of his injury.

To be clear, the lower right leg is what kept him out of the first four games of the series.

Toronto are far from done

VanVleet scores his first points to bring the Toronto deficit back to six points early in the third quarter.

Draymond Green misses a layup at the other end.

Pascal Siakam draws the foul under the basket to earn the three-point play.

The Toronto crowd is in full voice right now.

Curry on how the team is feeling

ESPN's Doris Burke spoke with Steph Curry on his way back after walking with Kevin Durant all the way to the locker room.

Asked if he had an update, he told Burke he did not, but asked about the mood of the team he did have this to say:

"Listen, you tell them to keep going, keep competing. I like what we're doing, but obviously we're all worried and thinking of Kevin."

The financial take

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The meaning of heartbreak

In Kevin Durant we are talking about a player that we know to be emotionally invested in basketball.

That's become apparent in not only how he plays the game, but also in more human, awkward ways, for example, when he accidentally posted from his official account while writing in the third-person, defending his move to Golden State...

What is clear is that he is a player that has put his long-term health on the line for his team to keep alive a series that would have been all-but-impossible to turn around, at 3-1 down.

:(

Durant being 'given some space'

No real update on the Durant injury, with ESPN saying due to the extreme emotions involved he's been given some space.

Here's a close up of the incident.

Half time: Toronto 56 Golden State 62

We are starting to see the Warriors fade a bit, as half time is called. After a recent turnover, only Draymond Green sprinted back to defend a three-on-one. That's not the sort of energy that is going to stave off a Finals loss away from home.

In saying that, a late three-pointer from Klay Thompson pushed the lead back out to four, before Curry took valuable seconds off the game clock, and had his shot tipped back in for two points.

But the game is certainly closer than the scoreline suggests.

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