Kevin Durant: Surgeon says bone bruise could linger

March 9 (UPI) -- Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant hasn't disclosed a possible return date.

But if you are curious, it's completely up to him rehab properly for a prompt return. The former NBA MVP was set to be the piece that put the Warriors over the top this season in its NBA Finals rivalry with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

That thought hit the hardwood, literally, when Durant exited the Warriors' Feb. 28 contest against the Washington Wizards due to multiple leg injuries.

Since his departure, the Warriors' title odds have slipped from 1-1 to 3-2. If Durant returns, the Warriors would again be 1-1 favorite. If he doesn't come back, the Warriors would have 5-2 odds at winning the Larry O'Brien trophy, according to My Top Sportsbooks.

The Cavaliers' title odds jumped to 3-1 from 7-2, while the San Antonio Spurs' jumped from 12-1 to 9-1, after Durant's injury.

New York City orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Armin Tehrany says Durant's return largely depends on his rehab. His MCL sprain could heal before his bone bruise.

"It may be that he can get back in a few weeks," said Tehrany, the founder of Manhattan Orthopedic Care. "It also seems as through there is no evidence that he has torn his ACL. That's important in terms of him having the stability. Because there is no ACL tear, there is a significant likelihood that he will be able to return sooner..."

Durant, 28, was averaging 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists before the injury. He stared 72 games in 2015. Before Durant's injury, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he would not be sitting any of his stars against the Wizards.

Durant was diagnosed with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and tibia bone bruise in his left knee on March 1. Reports originally surfaced saying Durant could be out for months. He is set to be re-evaluated in a couple weeks. The Warriors would have just six games left in April if Durant comes back immediately after his four-week timeline since March 1.

The eight-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection is currently wearing a brace on the leg. The Warriors' regular season ends on April 12.

"Injury was the biggest threat to the Warriors' title chances," stated MyTopSportsbooks.com spokesman Geoff Johnson. "The playoffs just got a lot more interesting!"

He is doing rehab treatment on his knee and lifting weights. He is also shooting in a chair. The Warriors are 2-2 without Durant since the injury.

"What is also interesting and important is Kevin's attitude," Tehrany said. "Psychologically, he seems as though he is extremely motivated and feels very confident with the knee already. He's shooting his jump shot from a chair so that's a good sign."

"That's a sign of him...when you don't wallow in despair, and instead your attitude is very good about an injury like this that doesn't need surgery, then the rehab process can speed up even more and can be shorter which is good."

Tehrany has previously worked with team physicians from the New York Jets, New York Rangers, and New York Islanders.

He "imagines" the medical plan for Durant is to keep wearing the brace and work on strengthening the muscles, to avoid weakness. He also said Durant needs to allow time for the ligament to heal and not to over-stress the injury.

Tehrany said he doesn't expect Durant to be slowed by the MCL injury, but the bone bruise could "change the timeline" for a healthy return.

"Some bone bruises can take longer than we hope to allow the player to play pain free," Tehrany said. "He might still be able to play, but he might have a little bit of pain lingering from the bone bruise. That's something we will have to wait and see. As long as the knee is stable and he feels confident on it, even with a little pain, it would be all right for him to go back if that pain we presume is from the bone bruise."

Durant's examination will likely be to look at the stability of his knee and check for tenderness on the joint. It will be vital for the medical staff to check for proper strength and range of motion, according to Tehrany.

"I don't think he will be more vulnerable to re-injury, if he does his rehab properly, he shouldn't have any worries at all."

Durant's psychological perspective and attitude will play a key factor in his rehab and a more prompt return.

But the Warriors aren't the only team void of an acquisition this season. Cavaliers center Andrew Bogut, a former Warriors player, managed just one minute in his franchise debut before being lost for the season. Bogut barely left the bench on March 6, before he ran out to defend a Miami Heat shooter. He ended up breaking his leg and knew almost immediately. The left tibia injury can be treated without surgery, according to Tehrany.

"...There are some fractures of the tibia that, depending on how they break, it could require surgery in order to get the player back faster," Tehrany said. "It would appear as through that wasn't the case here, which is good for his future."

Bogut's future might not rest in Cleveland. The 32-year-old seven-footer becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The Australian was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in July. He moved again in a February trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. He was waived four days later, before signing with the defending world champions.

"From just watching the video, I suspect that it was a torsional injury, a twisting injury of that leg that led to the fracture," Tehrany said. "But I'm not sure."

My Top Sportsbooks' odds have Durant as a 33-1 favorite to return on April 2. He is a 4-1 favorite to come back before season's end. He has 1-2 odds to return during the first round, 14-1 to return during the second round, 66-1 to come back for the Western Conference Finals, and a 75-1 shot at coming back for the NBA Finals. He also has 99-1 odds at not returning until next season, according to the sports book.

An NBA star player sitting out during road games has resulted in both criticism and logic from fans. But Tehrany encourages the move, if players are taxed from an unnatural schedule.

"All I will say is our bodies are not meant to take on that level of physical activity," Tehrany said. "The more these players push their bodies, the greater the chance of wear and tear and injury. If each individual player, along with the team, feel for whatever reason [age, minutes played] that it's important to take a break."

"I'm all for it to prevent injury."