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May 9, 2019 / 12:53 PM

Golden State coach Steve Kerr: Warriors were giants after Kevin Durant injury

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and his team defeated the Houston Rockets in Game 5 without Kevin Durant, who suffered a calf strain in the second half. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and his team defeated the Houston Rockets in Game 5 without Kevin Durant, who suffered a calf strain in the second half. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

May 9 (UPI) -- Golden State head coach Steve Kerr echoed the words of Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp and called his team "[expletive] giants" after the Warriors beat the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.

The Warriors' victory came after losing leading scorer and superstar Kevin Durant to a right calf strain late in the third quarter. Golden State led by as many as 20 points, but saw that lead dwindle after Durant's exit.

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Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry picked up the team with 12 points and a pair of assists in the fourth quarter to hold off the Rockets' rally.

"I apologize to my mom, who is probably watching, but our guys are [expletive] giants," Kerr told reporters. "That was an unbelievable victory tonight."

Klopp used the phrase after Liverpool defeated Barcelona FC 4-3 on aggregate after being down 3-0 following the first leg of the Champions League semifinal match.

The Warriors' 104-99 win Wednesday night gave them a 3-2 series lead over James Harden and the Rockets. Houston hosts the Warriors for Game 6 on Friday night.

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Durant was to undergo an MRI exam Thursday. He has been ruled out for Friday's contest.

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