After eight long months, Kevin Durant was finally back on the court Wednesday night, finishing with 15 points in 22 minutes and helping lead the OKC Thunder to a 122-99 preseason win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
KD looked like his former MVP self, dropping in silky jumpers and getting to his spots with ease.
Durant said he felt great after a right foot injury forced him to miss 55 games last season.
Per the AP:
More importantly, Durant showed no ill effects from the devastating foot injury that required three surgeries to repair. There was no limping, no grimacing, not even a noticeable shake of his right leg to work off any rust. […] “I felt great,” Durant said. “I think it was a little different. I haven’t been in my routine in a while as far as going to shootaround, taking my nap, getting to the game. So all that stuff was different. But once I got on the court, I felt right at home.”
“I know what that feels like to be out for a long period of time and to sit back and be watching your teammates play without going out there and being able to help them,” teammate Russell Westbrook said. “So him just coming back tonight and trying to go out there and find his rhythm, kind of get back into the swing of things is always great.”
He didn’t practice with the team until it opened training camp on Sept. 29, but new coach Billy Donovan raved about his work ethic and presence for a team determined to return to the Western Conference elite this season. […] “He’s been really good,” Donovan said. “I think he’s been getting back his rhythm, so to speak, scoring the ball. He’s had some incredible flashes.”
