Kevin Durant returns to practice for Team USA, TBD on Games debut - ESPN

LILLE, France — Kevin Durant practiced Wednesday, and coach Steve Kerr said there will be a «big collaboration» in determining when the program's all-time leading Olympic scorer will make his debut for Team USA.

The team's training staff, Durant's Phoenix Suns and his representation are all involved as they manage the delicate issue of Durant returning from a calf injury and his intense desire to play for his national team.

«It's not just our training staff, but [USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill] is constantly in touch with Kevin's people and with the Suns,» Kerr said. «This is not going to be like us going out and saying, 'Hey, let's just throw him out there.' This will be a big collaboration.»

Rich Kleiman, Durant's agent, told ESPN that Durant has been working tirelessly to return to play and he could've played during Team USA's games in London.

After holding Durant out of Monday's game against Germany, Kerr said Durant was «day-to-day» and that the plan was for him to have «a couple practices in a row and a scrimmage» before he'd be available.

This indicated a slowdown in the team's approach as previously Kerr said he hoped Durant would be able to play one of the games in London. In 2019, Durant was playing for Kerr with the Golden State Warriors when he tore his left Achilles following a calf strain in the same leg.

The first Olympic pool play game is Sunday against Serbia.

Team USA is planning to have a contact practice Thursday in Paris where Durant can hopefully take the next step in his return. He suffered the calf strain a month ago.

«The plan is for him to get in the scrimmage and see how he handles that,» Kerr said. «He looked good today and he did everything and got a lot of shots up and told me