Durant out for rest of season
NBA MVP Kevin Durant will miss the rest of the season and have bone graft surgery next week to treat a fractured bone in his right foot.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had said last week he’ll likely be shut down for the season. The team was trying to figure out why his pain remained long after he was supposed to be able to play.
General manager Sam Presti said Friday the team expects Durant to return to basketball activities within four to six months.
He said this decision was aimed at Durant’s “long-term health and stability” and represented a consensus of Durant and his representatives, specialists and the team. The procedure was termed the “most proactive and recommended approach.”
The Thunder are in position to make the playoffs without Durant, but they’ll clearly miss one of the game’s most dynamic players. Durant last played Feb. 19 before the discomfort became too much to bear. He has played in just 27 games, averaging 25.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
Durant had his initial surgery in October and was healing well. But in late February, he had a procedure to replace a screw that was rubbing against another bone. After that second surgery, the Thunder expected him to return in one to two weeks.
Durant then consulted with three foot and ankle specialists. It was determined there still was pain from the rubbing, plus regression in the initial break. It was then decided to proceed with the bone graft, Presti said.
A week ago, Presti said Durant was struggling and the team didn’t want to rush him back.
The bone graft is a common procedure.
The Thunder entered Friday three games ahead of Phoenix for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference standings.