Kevin Durant to return to Thunder after missing six games

The Oklahoma City Thunder could be getting a big boost if Kevin Durant returns this week as expected.

Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant has been sitting out the past six games with a strained hamstring, but he is expected to return to the court this week. The official SportsCenter confirmed that the former NBA MVP will be returning for the Thunder.

Durant’s absence did not affect the Thunder too badly, as they managed to go 3-3 with him out. Point guard Russell Westbrook carried the team much like he did last season, and he scored at least 40 points in two of those games. Durant coming back will be huge for the Thunder, as they still lack consistent scoring options outside of himself and Westbrook.

Center Enes Kanter is a relatively solid scorer and has done really well with his rebounding in recent games. Power forward Serge Ibaka continues to be a key piece for the Thunder as well, as he also averages just over 13 points per game while serving as a scary defensive presence.

The Thunder are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2014-15 season that also consisted of a Durant injury, but that one was much more serious as he only played 27 games due to foot surgeries. The Thunder fell to the ninth seed in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs.

Westbrook emerged as an MVP candidate, but the Thunder will never be title contenders unless he and Durant can stay healthy together. The Thunder are currently in fourth place in the West with an 8-6 record. The playoffs seem to be within reach, but catching the undefeated Golden State Warriors seems to be impossible at this point.