Kevin Durant crashed to the floor on a drive and had to be helped off by teammates just before halftime in the Thunder’s game against the Warriors on Thursday night. The injury has been diagnosed as a “mild ankle sprain”, the team announced. Durant will miss Friday night’s game against the Lakers:
Kevin Durant will miss Lakers game with ankle injury
The reigning MVP missed the second half of the Thunder’s loss to Golden State Thursday, but isn’t expected to miss any more time.
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Kevin Durant is out tonight against the Lakers with a right ankle sprain. He'll be re-evaluated tomorrow to see if he can go Sunday.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) December 19, 2014 Here’s a look at the injury:
Durant did not return for the start of the second half. TNT said he was still in the locker room being tended to as the third quarter began. The broadcast also reported Durant was having X-rays.
The injury to Durant put a damper on what was otherwise an amazing half between the Thunder and Warriors. Durant had 30 points on 10-of-13 shooting and 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range at the time of the injury. Yes, in two quarters. It was a career-high in one half for the reigning MVP. Durant also established his career high of 54 points against Golden State last season.
The Warriors trailed by as many as 17 points before making a run in the second quarter and eventually winning 114-109.
After the game, Durant said he had to be convinced by Thunder staff to sit the second half, and that he expects to play against the Lakers on Friday.
See More:
