Jones fractures are tricky things. The fifth metatarsal bone in your foot (the long bone connecting to your little toe) doesn’t get a lot of blood flow, so healing can be slow and there are often setbacks.
Kevin Durant just had another one.
Durant will have his third surgery on his foot this season and now is officially out for both the regular season and playoffs, the team announced Friday. Last week things seemed to take a step back; Thunder GM Sam Presti picks it up from there in a statement released on Friday.
“As we communicated last week, Kevin was going to use this time to engage in consultation and evaluation regarding the persistent soreness in his right foot at this stage of his rehabilitation…. Several conference calls and discussions amongst the specialist team concluded that, while the majority of the soreness in Kevin’s foot was related to the 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.
“With the focus of this process being aimed entirely on Kevin’s long term healthy and stability, it was the consensus of the specialists team… that to address the setback of the fracture site, a bone graft procedure would be the most proactive and recommended approach.”
Durant played in just 27 games for the Thunder the season after winning the MVP award. The only MVPs to play in fewer after winning the award were Michael Jordan (retired) and Bill Walton (more injuries than we have space to list).
Durant’s surgery will take place in New York early next week and has a 4-6 month recovery time. The screw put in Durant’s foot works in most cases (about 9 out of 10), but when it fails the graft is a more sure thing to promote healing. However, it comes with a long recovery time so is rarely the first options for teams or players.
Taking the long-term approach that is best for the player is what the Thunder did with Westbrook and his meniscus tear in 2013. That seems to have worked out for him. timeline should have him back in time for next season — the final year of his contract with the Thunder. His free agency and whether he could leave OKC for New York or Washington (or the 27 other teams that will come cal
Durant’s timeline should have him back in time for next season — the final year of his contract with the Thunder. His free agency and whether he could leave OKC for New York or Washington (or the 27 other teams that will come calling) in the summer of 2016 will be a hot topic around the NBA this summer. One Durant will look to dodge as much as possible.
The Thunder will make the playoffs this season behind the MVP-level play of Russell Westbrook. However, with no Durant and Serge Ibaka questionable (likely just returning from knee surgery) they are not a serious threat in a stacked West.
OKC must focus on trying to be loaded and ready for next season — if the Thunder win a title then it will be much more difficult for Durant to walk away.
