Kevin Durant will officially undergo bone graft foot surgery to try to correct his soreness and will be out for four to six months, the Thunder announced on Friday, prompting reactions from around the league.
The team had previously announced Durant would not return until the soreness went away but now say he’s officially out for the rest of the season, about 10 games before the playoffs start.
A number of players around the league took to Twitter to send well wishes to Durant, one of the most-liked players in the NBA.
That included CJ McCollum, who had similar foot problems several years ago.
Prayers up for @KDTrey5 & hopes for a speedy recovery..the game just isn’t the same with him out…#NBABrotherhood
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) March 27, 2015
Darrnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman noted that none of the now-six surgeries for Durant and Russell Westbrook have been done by Thunder staff.
FYI: None of the 6 surgeries on Russell Westbrook’s rt knee or Kevin Durant’s rt foot will have been performed by the Thunder’s medical team
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) March 27, 2015
In fact, the doctors announced for the process– –were noted to have been part of the team that worked on Brook Lopez, the Nets player who has struggled with injuries the past several years.
Two of three surgeons on Durant team –Drs. James Nunley & Martin O’Malley– also performed Lopez foot reconstruction.
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) March 27, 2015
NBA trainer Tim Grover made a note about “successful surgery.”
Durant’s foot issue is the reason I can’t stand hearing ‘successful surgery.’ Success is measured by what happens after surgery, not during.
— Tim S. Grover (@ATTACKATHLETICS) March 27, 2015
Analyst J.A. Adande noted that he wants to see Durant fully recover before trying to play again.
I’d rather see Kevin Durant sit out 4-6 months than see Durant try to come back too soon & wreck that foot for good
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) March 27, 2015
ESPN noted how few games Durant had missed before this season.
Kevin Durant had missed 16 games in 7 NBA seasons entering this one. He’ll miss 55 this year. pic.twitter.com/8LkSVru4D5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 27, 2015
It also noted that Oklahoma City has struggled without him, although Westbrook’s explosion after the All-Star break has helped keep them afloat.
Kevin Durant averaged 25.4 PPG & 6.6 RPG in 27 games this season. Thunder are 23-22 without him. pic.twitter.com/7aDIIs9F7A
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 27, 2015
The Elias Sports Bureau added that reigning MVP’s rarely miss this many games the following season.
Only Michael Jordan (retired) & Bill Walton (injured) played fewer games as reigning MVP than Kevin Durant this year: pic.twitter.com/PcqkGNWEzy
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 27, 2015
Zach Lowe of Grantland said why most teams don’t opt for bone grafts.
Experts tell me bone graft is always safest route for healing, but most teams don’t do it off the bat b/c it takes a long time.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) March 27, 2015
If you go with a surgery carrying a quicker recovery time, you need to take extreme caution in ramping up and get some good luck.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) March 27, 2015
Durant’s last season under contract with the Thunder will now likely come with more pressure, as many now predict the Thunder will get sent home in the first round of the playoffs by the Warriors. The Wizards are among the teams that want to try to lure Durant to them.
