Durant to miss at least 7-10 days with hamstring strain
Just when it looked like the Oklahoma City Thunder were beginning to hit their stride after two consecutive blowout wins, the team suffered another injury setback to one of its stars.
Kevin Durant will miss at least 7-10 days with a hamstring strain he sustained late in the first half of OKC's 125-101 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, according to the Daily Oklahoman.
"I came down a little awkward, and landed on it a little harder than I wanted to and I pulled it," Durant told The Associated Press after the game.
Durant had an MRI in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, which confirmed the strain. The Thunder confirmed the report and announced they will re-evalutate Durant in 7-10 days.
Durant called the injury "unfortunate," especially given his recent play — he had scored 33 and 32 points in the two previous games, and had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the first half against the Wizards.
“Whenever I feel right again, that’s when I’ll play,” Durant told the Daily Oklahoman. “Long process for me getting back and it’s unfortunate to get hurt again.”
Durant has averaged 28.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.25 blocks to help lead the Thunder and new coach Billy Donovan to a 5-3 start.
Dion Waiters will likely step in as the starter at small forward, as he was supposed to start in the second half Tuesday but didn't because of "stomach issues." Kyle Singler started instead, and will likely see a bump in minutes along with Waiters, Anthony Morrow, Mitch McGary and Nick Collison.
Fortunately for the Thunder, their upcoming schedule is relatively easy. Over the next 10 days, they play the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks — those teams had a combined 11-25 record entering Wednesday's play.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report.
