MINNEAPOLIS -- It has been eight months since Kevin Durant played in an NBA game.
It has seemed far longer to the Oklahoma City star who suffered through a grueling process to mend his broken right foot.
"It seems like years ago," Durant said on Wednesday after the Thunder's morning shootaround. "I'm here now. Try not to think about the past. I know I learned a lot from that situation and just trying to move forward and continue to have confidence in myself."
The wait is finally over for one of the NBA's brightest stars. Durant was set to make his long-awaited return to the court on Wednesday night when the Thunder opened the preseason in Minnesota. He missed 55 games last season and needed three surgeries to repair a dreaded Jones fracture in his foot, an injury that contributed mightily to the Thunder missing the playoffs for the first time in five years.
Given the delicate nature of Durant's injury, the former MVP spent all summer gradually working his way back.
He didn't participate in a practice until the Thunder opened camp on Sept. 29, but has reported no issues with his foot during the strenuous training camp workouts (see full story).
NBA: Derek Fisher and Matt Barnes get into altercation
NEW YORK -- A person with knowledge of the details says Knicks coach Derek Fisher was involved in an altercation with Memphis Grizzlies forward and former teammate Matt Barnes in California on Saturday.
NBA
The New York Post, citing an anonymous source, reported Wednesday that the altercation was because Fisher is dating Barnes' estranged wife. Fisher filed for divorce from his wife, Candace, in March.
The person says Fisher traveled to Los Angeles after practice Saturday to see his children and the altercation happened that night while Fisher was attending a gathering at the home of Gloria Govan, Barnes' estranged wife. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no comments were authorized.
Fisher, speaking before the Knicks' exhibition game, wouldn't comment about his personal life but says he is "completely focused and committed to the team."
Lakers: Rookie Russell leaves game with bruised glute
HONOLULU -- Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell left their exhibition game against Utah in the first quarter Tuesday night with a bruised glute muscle.
Russell, the second overall pick from Ohio State, went down in the paint with 7:42 left in the quarter after stepping in front of Rudy Gobert as Utah's center went to the basket.
Russell was called for a foul on the play and remained face down on the court for about a minute before being helped off the court by team personnel. He was taken to the locker room and a Lakers spokesman said he wouldn't return.
Russell scored five points in his debut Sunday.
Hawks: Sefolosha testifies in resisting arrest case
NEW YORK -- A professional basketball player has described how he was kicked in the leg and taken to the ground after a testy exchange with a New York City police officer.
The Atlanta Hawks' Thabo Sefolosha (tah-BOH' sehf-ah-LOH'-shuh) testified in his own defense Wednesday in Manhattan Criminal Court.
The 31-year-old guard-forward has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor obstructing government administration, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges.
The case stems from an April 8 struggle outside a trendy Manhattan nightclub following the stabbing of another NBA basketball player.
It was then that police say Sefolosha and others ignored repeated instructions to move off the block.
But Sefolosha testified he was moving when a confrontational officer yelled profanities at him. He says one kicked and injured his leg in a subsequent struggle (see full story).