Durant nearly flawless in return from hamstring injury
SALT LAKE CITY
Kevin Durant had 27 points and six rebounds in his return from a hamstring injury, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Utah Jazz 111-89 on Monday night.
Durant was 10 for 13 from the field in his first game since he got hurt Nov. 10 at Washington. Russell Westbrook narrowly missed his third triple-double of the season with 20 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.
The Thunder ran away with the game in the second quarter, outscoring the Jazz 40-26 and shooting 14 for 19 from the field.
Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 19 points. Derrick Favors had 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, and Rudy Gobert finished with 10 points.
The Jazz entered with the No. 2 scoring defense in the league, allowing 92. 4 points per game.
TIP-INS
Thunder: Oklahoma City is now 1-3 in the second night of back-to-backs. ... The Thunder had 10 blocked shots. ... Dion Waiters had 12 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals.
Jazz: The 40 second-quarter points are the most allowed in a single quarter by the Jazz this season. ... Gobert left for the locker room early in the fourth quarter with a tailbone contusion. He had no blocked shots for just the second time in his 11 games this season. ... The 22-point loss is the worst of the season. The previous was 16 against the Nuggets on Nov. 5.
HE'S BAAAACK
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said they were careful not to rush Durant back.
"The last thing you want with a hamstring injury is for it to be a prolonged thing to deal with," Donovan said. "The feeling was, so early in the season, let's just get him completely recovered and feeling good. The medical staff really feels like he has made incredible progress. He's pain free, feels good."
PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1
Thunder center Enes Kanter was repeatedly booed throughout the game. Jazz fans have been anti-Kanter since he asked for a trade days before last season's trade deadline, and then was shipped to Oklahoma City.
"I think I'm over it and think they're over it, too," Kanter said before the game. "It's their choice, they can boo me or not. I can't control it.
"I think maybe I was a little harsh (with my statement). But I just want to make it clear I had no problems with any of the players or any of the fans."
CHARITABLE WORK
Trey Burke visited Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox at the state capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, He initiated the visit and wanted to discuss opportunities to help the community.
"Being that light in the community rather than just thinking about basketball," Burke said. "Bottom line is just about the homeless people you see around Utah. Helping out in the homeless shelters and some of the kids that aren't going to be able to really enjoy the holidays like they should."
QUOTABLE
"He steps over half court and he's in range," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said about Durant. "That's an adjustment."
UP NEXT
Thunder: Hosts the Nets on Wednesday.
Jazz: Visits the Clippers on Wednesday.
