NBA Injury Report: OKC Thunder’s Kevin Durant To Miss At Least a Week Due to Hamstring Strain
Oklahoma City Thunder's biggest star is once again sidelined with an injury. Guard Kevin Durant was taken down with a hamstring strain in the team's game against Washington Wizards and latest reports say the former MVP is set to miss seven to 10 days of basketball.
According to a report from ESPN, the injury came when a foul caused him to land awkwardly during the second quarter. In a post-game interview Durant said, "After that foul, I came down a little awkward and landed on it a little harder than I wanted to, and it pulled."
Teammate Russell Westbrook took over after the former MVP exited the game, delivering a triple-double performance with 22 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, a separate report from ESPN said. Westbrook propelled the Thunder to a landslide victory 125-101 over the Wizards.
An MRI confirmed Durant has a strained left hamstring and his re-evaluation will come after seven to 10 days, according to NBA's official website.
He said, "Whenever I feel right, whenever I feel ready to play again, that's when I'll play. It was a long process of me getting back, and to get hurt again is unfortunate, but whenever I'm ready to play again, I'll play."
"It's unfortunate, but it's a part of the game," Durant continued. "Can't hang my head. Just got to work to get back. I've been here before. It's just a small injury, but I've been here before. I ain't going to quit. I'm not going to give up. I'm not going to be upset. It's just a part of the game."
Durant just came back from a season-ending injury last season that had him miss most of Thunder's games. After only suiting up for 27 games, he had to have three surgeries for a serious Jones fracture in his right foot.
He was able to get himself back in peak shape for OKC Thunder's current bid for a championship. In the eight games he has played in the ongoing season, Durant is averaging 28.1 points (fourth in NBA), 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.25 blocks and 34.7 minutes.
The NBA superstar is one of the best players in the league, even coming off an injury. Already, his free agency next summer is generating buzz from several teams, most notably the Washington Wizards, his hometown team.
However, at this point — with Westbrook and Serge Ibaka behind him — Durant gives no indication of leaving Oklahoma City. In an interview with ESPN, he hinted at being willing to be patient for a shot at a ring pointing out, "A lot of the good teams in our league, they stick together, keep fighting and keep building that chemistry and experience together."
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