Kevin Durant in danger of missing rest of season, Thunder GM says

Kevin Durant may not get the chance to help his team in its battle for a Western Conference playoff spot.

And if the Oklahoma City Thunder happens to make the postseason, he might not be able to help then either.

Thunder General Manager Sam Presti told reporters Friday that Durant has been removed from basketball activities due to pain in his right foot. No timetable was set for his return.

“When he’s healthy to play, and when he’s able to return without that soreness, he’ll be back on the floor,” Presti said. “If that takes the rest of the regular season, if that takes the rest of the playoffs, that’s what it’s going to take.”

Presti was then asked specifically about shutting Durant down for the rest of the season.

“That’s the direction we’re taking right now,” Presti said, adding that Durant will undergo more testing.

Durant has played in only 27 games this season and not since Feb. 19. Three days later he had surgery to replace a screw that had been placed in his right foot after he broke it during the preseason.

“He’s not making the progress that we had hoped and anticipated him making,” Presti said.

Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook has emerged as a superstar and MVP candidate this season, but the team is still only clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

Twitter: @chewkiii