Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant on track to return in regular season

Golden State Warriors star forward Kevin Durant has made "very good progress" in his recovery from a Grade 2 MCL sprain and tibial bone bruise in his left knee, the team announced Wednesday.

Durant, who is four weeks removed from sustaining the injury in a 112-108 loss to the Washington Wizards on Feb. 28, is expected to participate in non-contract basketball drills as he enters the next phase of his recovery.

ESPN reported Wednesday that Durant could return for the final three games of the regular season. Golden State concludes its slate with home contests against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 8, Utah Jazz two nights later and the Los Angeles Lakers on April 12.

"Kevin has made very good progress since suffering the injury four weeks ago in Washington," the Warriors said in a statement. "He has not experienced any setbacks to date and has progressed as well as could be expected. At this point, he is being incorporated into non-contact basketball drills -- shooting, running and jumping -- and the plan is to intensify his level of movement over the next several days, which will include more explosive cutting and lateral maneuvers.

"His eventual return to contact drills and practice will be predicated upon his progress to the increased intensity of his workouts, and a return to game action prior to the end of the regular season remains a possibility. He will be re-evaluated again in the next 7-10 days."

The injury occurred during a loose-ball situation when Warriors big man ZaZa Pachulia, fouled on the play by Washington's Marcin Gortat, fell backwards into the legs of Durant, who was standing in the left corner.

The 28-year-old Durant signed a two-year, $54.3 million contract with the Warriors in the offseason after spending his first nine years of his NBA career with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Durant is averaging 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 59 games this season for the Warriors, who have the best record (60-14) in the NBA and a 2 1/2-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference.