The Oklahoma City Thunder’s season isn’t over, but their championship aspirations seem long gone. The team’s general manager, Sam Presti, announced today that reigning MVP Kevin Durant has been “removed from basketball activities” due to nagging pain in his problematic right foot.
Presti says Durant "has been removed from basketball activities."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 20, 2015
Presti says "he's not going to be playing right now."
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) March 20, 2015
Presti on if Durant is being shut down for the season: "Essentially, that's the direction we're headed right now."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 20, 2015
The 26 year-old suffered a Jones fracture in September that kept him from the season’s first month of play. He played in the Thunder’s next nine games before suffering a minor ankle sprain versus the Golden State Warriors in December. Durant returned to the lineup shortly thereafter but ultimately succumbed to more pain in his right foot during Oklahoma City’s win over the Dallas Mavericks on February 19.
He’s been sidelined ever since, and had a minor surgery to replace the screw in his foot three days later. Though last week’s momentum suggested Durant would return to the lineup soon, he experienced more discomfort yesterday and was held out of the Thunder’s practice.
The 38-30 Thunder lead the New Orleans Pelicans by one game for eighth-place in the loaded Western Conference. Monty Williams’ team had the chance to surpass Oklahoma City with a win on Thursday night, but just couldn’t manage consistent offense without Anthony Davis – who tweaked his ankle pre-game – en route to a 74-72 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
We’ll keep you updated on Durant’s status as information becomes available. However, the writing is on the wall – his season is over despite it barely ever getting started.
