Kevin Durant sat out of the Thunder’s win in Boston on Friday due to a shoulder injury, and it was the first time in the history of the Oklahoma City franchise that the team played a game without both Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Durant didn’t want to make it a trend, so he returned to the lineup for Saturday’s contest in Philadelphia. And by the looks of things, he was feeling just fine.
Durant notched his fifth career triple-double by finishing with 32 points on 12-of-17 shooting, to go along with 14 rebounds and 10 assists, while playing 44 minutes in the Thunder’s 103-91 victory.
“I hate sitting out,” Durant said afterward, “but it was best for me and my shoulder. I guess that day off was needed.”
Durant also extended his streak of games where he’s scored at last 30 points to 10 straight, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He’s now tied for the most consecutive 30-point performances over the last 10 years with some guys named Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and will have a chance to stand alone at the top of that list when the Thunder host the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 27.