Kevin Durant

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Lore & Background

The narrative of Kevin Durant's 2014–15 campaign is one of near-misses and surgical interventions. After missing the first 17 games with a fractured right foot while Russell Westbrook also sat out 14 of those contests, the team plummeted to a 4–12 record. The return of both stars on November 28 and December 2 ignited a seven-game winning streak that brought hope back to Oklahoma City. However, durability remained elusive. On December 18, Durant injured his ankle during a loss to the Golden State Warriors after scoring 30 points in just 18 minutes. He returned on December 31 but suffered a sprained big toe on January 25 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The final blow came on February 22 when he underwent surgery to replace a screw causing soreness in his right foot, leading to an announcement on March 21 that he would not play again that season.

In Their Own Story

The drama of Durant's injury saga unfolded game by game throughout the winter. On October 12, 2014, discomfort led to the diagnosis of a fractured right foot, grounding the MVP candidate before the season officially began. When Westbrook returned on November 28 against the New York Knicks, the Thunder found their rhythm, only for Durant to return the very next game and score 27 points in a loss to the Pelicans. The turning point arrived on December 18 against the Warriors; despite a stellar 30-point performance on 10-of-13 shooting, an ankle injury forced him out. He missed one night against the Lakers before returning on New Year's Eve. Yet, the big toe sprain on January 25 versus Cleveland signaled the end of his durability. Following a procedure on February 22 to fix the screw in his right foot, the team made the difficult decision to shut him down for good. Without their star, they finished 45–37, eliminated by New Orleans on a tiebreaker.

Reader's Guide

Navigating Durant's 2014–15 season requires understanding the specific timeline of his health struggles and the team's response. The season began with both Durant and Westbrook out, leading to a disastrous 4–12 start until Westbrook's return on November 28. Durant followed on December 2, sparking a seven-game winning streak that revitalized the roster's playoff chances. However, the schedule proved unforgiving; an ankle injury on December 18 interrupted this momentum. Although he returned for a game against Phoenix on December 31, another toe sprain on January 25 limited him to just six more games before surgery on February 22 ended his year. The front office's decision to rest him for the remainder of the season highlighted the priority of long-term health over short-term playoff seeding, resulting in a first-round miss since 2009 and the firing of coach Scott Brooks.

Did You Know?

• Kevin Durant was ruled out for the first 17 games of the 2014–15 season due to a fractured right foot.
• The Thunder missed the playoffs in 2015 for the first time since 2009, finishing tied with New Orleans but losing on a head-to-head tiebreaker.
• Durant underwent a procedure on February 22 to replace a screw in his surgically repaired right foot before being shut down for the season.
• Russell Westbrook missed 14 of the first 17 games of the season with a fractured hand, compounding Durant's absence.
• After the 2013–14 MVP season, Durant averaged a career-high 32.0 points per game despite Russell Westbrook missing most of the year.

MVP Season Amidst Adversity

The preceding 2013–14 season set the stage for Durant's heroic individual effort. Despite Russell Westbrook missing most of the campaign with only 46 games played, Durant led the team to a 59–23 record, finishing first in the Northwest Division and second in the Western Conference. His performance earned him the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player award, cementing his status as the league's premier scorer. He averaged a career-high 32.0 points, along with 7.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 steals. This individual brilliance carried the Thunder through the regular season, though they ultimately fell to the San Antonio Spurs in six games during the Conference Finals.

Playoff Run and Finals Heartbreak

In the 2013–14 playoffs, the Thunder faced the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. Despite Durant's MVP-level production throughout the regular season, the team could not overcome the Spurs' depth and experience, losing the series in six games. This loss served as the backdrop for the upcoming 2014–15 offseason, where the franchise hoped to build upon their previous success only to be derailed by injuries.

Strategic Draft Maneuvers

Entering the 2014 NBA draft, the Thunder held two first-round picks. One originated from the James Harden trade with Houston in 2012, while the other was a second-round pick acquired via Ronnie Brewer that had been traded away. On draft night, they traded cash to the Charlotte Hornets for the rights to Semaj Christon (55th overall). The team finalized their selections with Michigan center Mitch McGary, Stanford forward Josh Huestis, and Xavier guard Semaj Christon.

Roster Turnover and Coaching Shifts

The offseason saw significant movement as Thabo Sefolosha agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks on July 3, officially signing on July 15. Caron Butler also departed for the Detroit Pistons. In return, the Thunder added Anthony Morrow (three-year, $10 million), Sebastian Telfair, and Lance Thomas. On the coaching side, Darko Rajaković was named an assistant coach on July 5, joining from the Tulsa 66ers. These changes aimed to fill the voids left by departing veterans while maintaining a competitive roster around Durant.