Kevin Durant returns with 10 points in Warriors' Game 4 clinching win

After missing the previous two games with a calf strain, Kevin Durant returned to the Golden State Warriors' lineup and started Monday night's Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Durant scored 10 points and added three rebounds, two assists and three turnovers in 20 minutes as the Warriors beat the Blazers 128-103 to sweep their first-round playoff series. He hit a 3-pointer on his first shot attempt from the field.

Durant suffered the injury to his left calf during the Warriors' Game 1 victory and had been questionable leading into each game since.

"Our training staff felt it was best to sit him out, and so that's why he sat out [Game 3]," acting head coach Mike Brown said before Game 4. "Obviously, Kev's a tough guy and a tough-minded guy, and he probably was ready to go as soon as it happened. But our training staff didn't clear him 'til tonight."

Brown, who coached Golden State for a second straight game Monday night, said Durant was not under a minutes restriction.

Though Durant returned, the Warriors still were without Matt Barnes (right ankle/foot sprain), Shaun Livingston (right index finger sprain and hand contusion) and Kevon Looney (hip strain).

The most pressing health concern for the Warriors now is that of head coach Steve Kerr, who missed his second straight game due to the return of painful symptoms related to back surgery he had nearly two years ago.

Jusuf Nurkic, who made a brief appearance for the Blazers in Game 3 after missing nine game with a fracture in his right leg, was ruled out for Game 4.