Ronnie Lott appreciates Kevon Looney's toughness in return to Warriors

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Surprise! Kevon Looney isn't done for the season after all.

The Warriors center will return from a one-game absence to play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors on Friday night, an outcome that didn't seem possible a few days ago when he was ruled out indefinitely with a first costal cartilage fracture.

Looney's return to the lineup should provide an emotional boost to a Golden State team in dire need of a victory. A win in Game 4 at Oracle Arena would tie the best-of-seven series at two apiece, while a loss would put the Warriors in the unenviable position of being down three to one, with Game 5 in Toronto.

The high stakes undoubtedly played a role in Looney's decision to play through the pain, and his toughness caught the attention of another Bay Area athlete known for going the extra length to get on the field.

Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott played 10 seasons with the 49ers and two with the Raiders, but he's perhaps most known for having his broken pinkie finger amputated in 1986, rather than undergo reconstructive surgery and endure the long recovery time that would have followed.

Lott is one of the NFL's all-time "tough guys," and he took to Twitter to applaud Looney for his surprise return in Game 4.

Lott likes the toughness. The Oracle Arena crowd most certainly will as well.

[RELATED: Warriors must improve defense in must-win Game 4 of Finals]

Let's just hope to avoid any amputations.

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