Kevin Durant Injury Update, Kevin Durant
Feb 28, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) holds his knee after being injured against the Washington Wizards in the first quarter at Verizon Center. USA TODAY Sports/Geoff Burke

It’s the most optimistic take on Kevin Durant’s injury and return but the Golden State Warriors are reportedly confident that its superstar forward will rejoin the team before the end of the regular season.

While the Warriors or Durant has been generally mum on projected return date for the forward, there is a clear expectation from the Golden State camp that “KD” will return before the start of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. The latest good news for the Warriors is that “should [Durant] maintain his current recover arc,” then there is a high possibility that he can rejoin the team, according to an ESPN report.

Currently, the Warriors (58-14) are in first place in the Western Conference. They are trying to hold off the San Antonio Spurs (55-16), who are chasing them for the best record in the league. The top seed gains home court advantage throughout the playoffs and the Warriors want to return to the NBA Finals with the help of their raucous crowd.

Possible opponents for the Warriors if they end up as the top seed in the West are the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks or New Orleans Pelicans. These teams are not seen as real title contenders but without Durant these teams could give them a good fight in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Before he got hurt this season, Kevin Durant averaged 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game for the Warriors.