Durant Will Miss At least 7-10 Days With Strained Hamstring

By Randy Renner

Thunder superstar Kevin Durant had his MRI today in Oklahoma City and it confirmed the early diagnosis of a strained left hamstring. In a statement issued this afternoon the team says Durant "will be re-evaluated in 7 to 10 days."

The Thunder begin a busy run of seven games in 11 days when the Philadelphia 76ers visit Chesapeake Energy Arena on Friday night. On the 7-10 day timetable Durant would also miss games against Boston on Sunday, at Memphis on Monday and versus New Orleans on Wednesday.

The New York Knicks will be in OKC a week from Friday and if problems linger beyond 10 days games against Dallas a week from Sunday and at Utah a week from Monday could also be missed.

Durant grabbed the back of his left leg late in the first half of Tuesday's game at Washington.

"I came down a little awkward and landed on it a little harder than I wanted to and pulled it," he said after the game.

Durant went through his first several seasons in the NBA without ever missing significant playing time, then came the Jones fracture in his right foot last season which required three surgeries to finally repair. Durant ended up missing 55 games and the Thunder missed the playoffs by a game.

He'd showed no signs of problems with his right foot and had gotten off to a sizzling start, averaging 28.1 points and 7.3 rebounds a game.

The Thunder did not practice on Wednesday so head coach Billy Donovan was not available to answer questions about who might start in Durant's absence.

Kyle Singler has gotten a lot of playing time lately at that spot as Durant's apparent backup but that doesn't necessarily mean he would step into KD's starting spot. Dion Waiters, who's play has been outstanding recently is sure to get some time there too.