Durant (knee) has been diagnosed with a left MCL sprain and tibial bone bruise and will be sidelined for four weeks before being reevaluated, ESPN.com's Adam Schefter reports.

EDGE Analysis

The diagnosis was confirmed after Durant required an MRI on Tuesday after suffering what was initially labeled as a hyperextended left knee when teammate Zaza Pachulia fell on him early in the first quarter of Tuesday's loss to the Wizards. While the extended absence of Durant is a major blow to the Warriors, it's not quite a doomsday scenario for the team, as it was initially feared that the All-Star's absence might be measured in months rather than weeks. Upon reevaluating Durant at the end of March or early April, the Warriors should have a clearer idea if the forward will be able to get a few games in before the regular season draws to a close April 12, but even if that fails to materialize, it seems likely that the team will be able to count on having him back for the postseason. While Durant is out, Patrick McCaw, who previously filled in on the top unit when Durant was sidelined for one game with a hand injury over the weekend, figures to get the first crack as the starting small forward, but he likely won't be asked to assume a 30-to-35-minute role. Instead, coach Steve Kerr will presumably opt to spread Durant's minutes around fairly liberally between some combination of McCaw, Andre Iguodala, Ian Clark and Matt Barnes, who is expected to sign a contract with the team for the rest of the season Wednesday.