The Oklahoma City Thunder started the year in a good note, winning in their preseason opener over the Minnesota Timberwolves; but more than that, former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kevin Durant was back.
Before the start of the 2014–2015 season, Durant suffered a foot injury that plagued him for the entire year. For it to get fully repaired, the Thunder star underwent three surgeries, which limited him to only 27 games last season.
In Durant's absence, Oklahoma City failed to reach the playoffs after making it to the postseason in the previous five seasons.
But now that the 27-year-old forward is back, the Thunder also returned to being top contenders with him showing that he is fully ready for another season.
Durant played 22 minutes in their 122–99 victory over Minnesota, scoring 15 points and also having two rebounds and four assists.
Aside from his performance, it was overall a good sight for the Thunder as Durant played without any signs of the injury that abruptly ended his 2014–15 season.
"I felt great. I think it was a little different. I haven't been in my routine in a while as far as going to shootaround, taking my nap, getting to the game. So all that stuff was different. But once I got on the court, I felt right at home," Durant said in a report by the Associated Press.
Durant also stated, "I don't force things. I just tried to let the game come to me and play as simple as I can."
If the six-time All-Star can stay healthy together with teammate Russell Westbrook for the entire season, it will be the first time in three seasons that the two will be back again playing a full year.
Before Durant's injury, Westbrook was limited to only 46 games in the 2013–2014 season due to knee woes.
The Thunder will be playing five more games in the preseason before opening their 2015–16 campaign on Oct. 28 taking on the San Antonio Spurs.
