MVP Kevin Durant sits out vs Lakers with sprain
LOS ANGELES (AP) Kevin Durant sat out of the Oklahoma City Thunder's game against the Lakers on Friday night to rest his sprained right ankle.
Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said Durant's injury is mild, but the reigning NBA MVP will miss at least one game as a precaution.
''It's going to be day-by-day, but I don't know how long it's going to be,'' Brooks said before the game. ''The good thing about it is that the X-rays came back negative, as we knew last night. He woke up a little sore, but we'll see how he feels before the next game.''
Perry Jones made his sixth start of the season in Durant's spot against Los Angeles. Durant missed his 18th game of this season after missing just 16 total games in the first seven seasons of his NBA career.
Durant missed the second half of the Thunder's loss at Golden State on Thursday night after getting hurt. Durant thought about returning to the game after scoring 30 points in the first 19 minutes, but the Thunder will be cautious with the MVP.
Durant only made his season debut in early December after missing Oklahoma City's first 17 games with a broken right foot, which required surgery in October. He played in his first nine games under a playing-time restriction, but appeared to be rounding back into shape.
Injuries have been a constant this season for the Thunder, who also played without Russell Westbrook for 14 games with a broken bone in his right hand.
After a 3-12 start to the season, the Thunder had been back in their usual dominant form with both superstars in the lineup, winning nine of 10 before their loss to the NBA-leading Warriors.
''Like every coach in this league, you want your entire roster and (to) be able to throw all your pieces out on the court,'' Brooks said. ''But you can't make excuses, and our team won't. We've been through this before with Russell and Kevin (at the same time). And with Kevin out now, it's an adjustment. We have to make that adjustment, and you have to make it with confidence.''