NBA News 2015: Durant Possibly Out for the Season, Is Westbrook Enough for the Playoffs?
After being sidelined for almost a month due to injury, Kevin Durant has been rumored to miss the rest of the season.
According to a report by ESPN, Thunder general manager Sam Presti made the announcement Friday, confirming the team's fear of entering the playoffs shorthanded. In the statement, Presti confirmed that Durant has been "removed from basketball activities," and that includes practicing with his teammates.
"He's not making the progress we'd hoped or expected," said the Thunder General Manager.
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The statement came a day after the team decided not to allow the superstar to practice. In the report, the reigning MVP has been experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired right foot.
Durant, who is among the top scorers in the league this season, averages 25.4 points, 6.6 boards and 4.1 assists in his 27 played games.
However, Durant's right foot has been experiencing pain, and on Feb. 23, it underwent surgery.
During the pre-season, Durant also underwent surgery due to a Jones' fracture in his right foot. Unfortunately, he still continued experiencing soreness and pain.
In spite of Durant's absence, Oklahoma City is still doing good as it holds a one-game advantage in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Point guard Russell Westbrook is taking over games and carrying the Thunder team on his back in order to make it to the playoffs.
As for the timeline of Durant's return to form, Thunder coach Scott Brooks states a "week or two."
Still, it might take time before the reigning MVP suits up for OKC.
"Unless he's able to be back on the floor without soreness, he won't be back on the floor," Presti said.
