Kevin Durant Talks Ideal Return From Injury
After suffering the third MCL sprain of his career on Jan. 8, Kevin Durant has been sidelined for the Nets. In the words of the superstar forward, his return timeline should come right before the All-Star break.
"Moreso than just the All-Star Game, I want to play games. I want to play as many games as possible, and I feel like the All-Star Game is part of the season," Durant said on his The ETCs podcast. "I want to be a part of everything throughout the year.
"I hate being injured. I hate not being out there with the guys. I hate not traveling. All that stuff, it means a lot to me. I would love to [play in All-Star Game] but that would be a nice target point for me, I guess. A few games before, get my legs up under me and then, in the ideal situation, slide into the All-Star break, back healthy and back on the floor."
More than anything, his MCL sprain rehab is going to plan. Durant is scheduled to be reassessed in about a week after his first reassessment turned out to be 'very pleased' for Dr. Riley Williams II. On top of strengthening his knee, Durant is running and doing on-court basketball activities.
When speaking to the media for the first time since suffering the injury, Durant expressed his interest in playing in the All-Star Game out in Salt Lake City, Utah on Feb. 19. That, of course, is dependent on if he's fully healthy.
“I want to play tomorrow if I can. So, that’s what my sense of urgency is. Obviously, I don’t want to rush anything. I want to make sure I’m 100 percent. But yeah, I want to play," Durant said. "I want to be a part of all these events."
The 13-time All-Star holds All-Star Game averages of 26 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per annual contest. He has taken home the most prestigious award at All-Star Weekend, All-Star Game MVP, twice in his career (2012, 2019).
