Durant to have bone graft surgery, won't return this season

Mar 27, 2015 - 7:13 PM Oklahoma City, OK (SportsNetwork.com) - Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant won't return this season because of a foot injury and will instead undergo a bone graft procedure that will keep him sidelined for up to six months.

Durant hasn't played since Feb. 19 and underwent a procedure a few days later in an effort to alleviate soreness from a screw that was inserted when the reigning NBA MVP had surgery in October to repair a fracture in the foot.

Last Friday, the Thunder said Durant hadn't progressed as hoped and wouldn't participate in any basketball activities. He visited specialists this week and it was determined that another operation was necessary.

Durant underwent an initial procedure to repair a broken bone at the base of his small toe in October.

"While the majority of the soreness in Kevin's foot was related to continued inflammation of the cuboid bone and would subside with rest, the evaluation process also determined that the Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal, which had shown significant healing previously, was now demonstrating signs of regression," said Thunder general manager Sam Presti in a statement Friday.

"With the focus of this process being aimed entirely on Kevin's long-term health and stability, it was the consensus of the specialists team, in addition to a collective decision by Kevin, his representation and the Thunder, that to address the setback of the fracture site, a bone graft procedure would be the most proactive and recommended approach."

Presti said the bone graft surgery would take place early next week in New York.

"The bone graft is the standard procedure for the five to eight percent of Jones fracture surgeries that do not initially have success or experience setbacks sometime within the recovery period," Presti added. "While everyone is disappointed that Kevin falls into that group, we are encouraged that the bone graft procedure has historically demonstrated long-term health and stability."

Durant made his season debut on Dec. 2 and averaged 25.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in just 27 games.