OKLAHOMA CITY -- Kevin Durant said Wednesday he's not worried about possible re-injury to his surgically repaired right foot, though he acknowledged being a bit anxious his first couple games back.
"If I try to hold back and worry about what may happen, that's when I don't bring the edge I usually play with. Whatever happens, happens."Kevin Durant
"Nah, not at all," Durant said of any concern. "First two games I did, but I just realized if I'm out there playing, everything is all right. I'm still going to be aggressive like that going to the rim. I can live with whatever happens after that."
Durant has played four games after sitting six weeks with a Jones fracture -- a stress injury that occurs over time, not from a specific incident that caused a break, which has been important in his recovery.
Against the Bucks on Tuesday, Durant elevated for a dunk and was fouled midair, landing hard on his foot. The play probably caused a few hearts to skip, but Durant said he won't hesitate being aggressive.
"I'm one of those guys that's going to play how I play if I'm out on the court," he said. "If I try to hold back and worry about what may happen, that's when I don't bring the edge I usually play with. Whatever happens, happens."
Durant still will be on a 30-minute restriction Thursday against the Cavaliers as the Thunder monitor his return. He said he's felt great the following days after games and could have his minutes restriction lifted as early as next week.
ESPN NBA Insider Dr. Mark Adickes said the recurrence rate of re-injury is extremely low for surgically repaired fifth metatarsal fractures in elite athletes -- 5 to 10 percent -- with that percentage dropping to 3 to 5 when treated with a screw, as Durant's was. But the NBA has a long history of big men dealing with foot issues, something the nearly 7-foot Durant is well aware of.
"I know I'm different. I know my injury was different. I know I'm a different build than most guys," Durant told reporters earlier in the week. "You can't compare me to Yao Ming. He's 300 pounds and he broke his foot. I didn't break mine."