Kevin Durant To Make Return Against Pelicans Tonight

Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder will make his first start of the year tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans. Durant has missed the past 6 1/2 weeks with a broken foot.

"Just excited to get back out there with my teammates," Durant said Tuesday. "It's been a long 6½ weeks just trying to get better and get my foot right. The training staff did a great job, so I'm just looking forward to playing tonight.

As with any lengthy time off from a skilled position in a physical league, Durant may look rusty but he will be on the court going full bore.

When asked about the layoff in terms of his conditioning and team chemistry, Durant had this to say, "I know it's going to be a little bit different for me not having played ... and then going out there and playing the highest level of basketball. But I'm looking forward to going out there and seeing where I am and playing as hard as I can for my team."

Durant's return could not have come at a better time for the Thunder. Russell Westbrook is back and the Thunder are languishing at 5-12 early on in the NBA season.

 Royce Young has the ESPN story here.

 

Kevin Durant Has Surgery Will Be Evaluated In 6 Weeks

Sean Highkin of probasketballtalk.com has this article on Kevin durant's foot surgery.

Kevin Durant Fractures Foot - Out 6-8 Weeks

One could see this as a setback for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kevin Durant, the 2013-2014 MVP of the NBA has broken hi foot. He has what is known as a "Jones" fracture.

A Jones fracture is a fracture of the diaphysis of the fifth metatarsal of the foot, at the base of the small toe. The proximal end, where the Jones fracture occurs, is in the midportion of the foot. Those who sustain a Jones fracture have pain over this area, swelling, and difficulty walking.

Read the ESPN story here.