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Kevin Durant Injury: Thunder Star Out 6-8 Weeks With Foot Injury

By Michael Dunlap

Sep 29, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) poses during media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) poses during media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma City Thunder announced a Kevin Durant injury to his foot that will keep him out 6-8 weeks

Unfortunately, the basketball Gods have struck again. This time, it’s a Kevin Durant injury, as reported by a press release made by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant was having pain in his foot and after using imaging to determine the specific cause, it was revealed that he has a Jones fracture. He will require surgery and will likely be out 6-8 weeks.

A Jones fracture, as defined by FootVitals.com is “a fairly common fracture of the fifth metatarsal. A Jones fracture is often mistaken for a sprain or an avulsion fracture. The area of the Jones fracture has a very small blood supply. Jones fractures disrupt that blood supply and can take much longer to heal. A true Jones fracture often results in a non-union (the permanent failure of a bone to heal) if it is not identified and managed properly.”

For the Thunder (and really the NBA), there simply could not be worse news. Injuries are always part of the game, but it seems like we’ve been getting injury news in droves over the past few weeks, with Bradley Beal‘s injury being announced just yesterday. The Thunder already lost Reggie Jackson to a hand injury that is expected to keep him out an indefinite amount of time so at this point, the already thin Thunder will be tested early and often.

Durant, the 2013-14 NBA MVP, will leave a massive hole at the small forward position for the Thunder. Their official depth chart lists Lance Thomas as the backup at small forward, but the Thunder could go with a small lineup and move someone like Andre Roberson, Perry Jones or even Anthony Morrow into that spot.

There’s definitely no replacing 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and a shooting line of .503/.391/.873, but the Thunder are going to be relying heavily on Russell Westbrook to make a big difference. A year ago, Westbrook averaged 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists for the Thunder in just 30.7 minutes per game.

We’ve seen what Durant can do without Westbrook on the floor, now, unfortunately, we’ll have to see what Westbrook can do without Durant.

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