Durant out for season
Thunder star and reigning MVP needs bone graft surgery.
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 that he likely would be shut down for the season. The team was trying to digure 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 clearly will miss one of the game’s most dynamic players. Durant last played Feb. 19 before the discomfort became too much. 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 had been 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.
The Thunder entered Friday three games ahead of Phoenix for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference standings. Point guard Russell Westbrook leads the league with 27.3 points per game while averaging 8.7 assists and 7.1 rebounds.
Thursday’s Games Friday’s Games ■ Clippers JJB, (at) 8Kers BC: Chris Paul scored =d points to lead Los Angeles to its sixth straight win. ■ Pistons JJJ, (at) Magic B8: Reggie Jackson had =T points, UU rebounds and U0 assists for Detroit. ■ (At) Nets J0K, Cavaliers BC: Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez each scored =0 points for Brooklyn. ■ (At) Raptors B*, Lakers CT: Jonas Valanciunas had UK points as Toronto clinched the Atlantic title. ■ (At) Hawks BB, Heat CK: DeMarre Carroll scored =, as Atlanta clinched the top seed in the East. ■ (At) Wizards JJ0, Hornets J08 (7OT): John Wall’s e= points and nine rebounds led Washington. ■ (At) Rockets J70,Timberwolves JJ0: James Harden scored ee as Houston won its third straight. ■ (At) Pelicans J07, Kings CC: Tyreke Evans had =d points and U0 assists for New Orleans. DeMarcus Cousins’eK points and =0 rebounds led the Kings. ■ Celtics BK, (at) Knicks B7: Isaiah Thomas had UM points and six assists to lift Boston. ■ Warriors J08, (at) Grizzlies C*: Stephen Curry had eM points and U0 assists, and Klay Thompson scored =M as Golden State won its eighth straight. ■ Mavericks at Spurs: Late ■ Jazz at Nuggets: Late ■ Trail Blazers at Suns: Late ` NBAnotes ■ Magic: Shaquille O’Neal said he wishes he would have been more patient before leaving Orlando. O’Neal said Friday after an induction into the Magic’s Hall of Fame, that being young and wanting to win right away prompted him to leave for the Lakers in free agency in UKKT. The four-time NBA champion said the choice was a“business decision.”
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