Kevin Durant plays for the first time this season.
Kevin Durant finally takes to the court after six weeks of recovery.
The superstar will play for the first time this season on Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Oklahoma City Thunder has struggled without Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, with a record of 3 wins and 12 losses. With Westbrook’s return last Wednesday, the team won two consecutive games and brought their record to 5-12. Westbrook had an incredible performance with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists on his first night back, all in 23 minutes.
Back in October, Durant suffered a Jones fracture in his right foot and had surgery soon after. Though he is cleared to play, head coach Scott Brooks will limit Durant’s playing time to thirty minutes.
“Just excited to get back out there with my teammates … It's been a long 6 and a half 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,” Durant told ESPN.
Before the injury, Durant had missed only 14 games in his entire NBA career. This injury has kept him off the court for the longest period of time that he has experienced in his career.
“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,” said Durant.
The Thunder has been in a rut throughout the season, but with the return of their superstars the team hopes to be active competitors in the Western Conference.
“Kevin and Russell make all the players so much better because they demand so much attention,” Coach Brooks told ESPN.
