OAKLAND -- After observing Kevin Durant complete his most strenuous workout since his Feb. 28 knee injury, the Warriors are more optimistic than ever of his return during the regular season.

Asked if anticipated Durant to return before the playoffs, Warriors coach Steve Kerr did not hesitate.

“Yes,” he said Saturday afternoon, about 30 minutes after Durant worked up a sweat during a half-court 5-on-5 session that was closed to media.

Durant mostly shared the court with four teammates -- Zaza Pachulia, James Michael McAdoo, Pat McCaw and Ian Clark -- as well as assistant coaches and other staff members.

While Kerr watched the last part of the session, assistant Mike Brown observed all of it from the sideline and first-year assistant Willie Green was in the middle of some of the action.

“He looks good,” Green said. “He’s doing about everything he normally does. The thing is, now you don’t want to push too hard.”

Durant is 32 days removed from sustaining a sprain of his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and a tibial bone bruise to his left knee. He still is wearing a brace that shields the area from his tibia to a few inches above his kneecap.

Durant’s ease of movement and agility impressed Brown to such a degree he conceded that they reminded him of what the Warriors are missing.

Though no one mentioned a timetable, and it’s clear the Warriors believe Durant is days away from being physically able to take the court, Kerr continued to sound a note of caution.

“We’re getting closer, but we’re not there yet,” he said. “He’s doing well, but we have to keep it going and let it play out until he’s completely ready.”