Kevin Durant: Expected back this week

Durant (hamstring) is expected to return at some point this week, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports.

Analysis:

Durant has missed the last six games with a strained left hamstring, and though it seems like he's nearly recovered from the injury and on course to play this week, the Thunder have yet to decide exactly which game that may be. The former league MVP was held out of Sunday night's win over Dallas, but he could return as early as Monday against Utah. However, any decision on his status for that game likely wouldn't come until pregame warmups, as the Thunder didn't hold a morning shootaround after playing Sunday. In Durant's absence, the Thunder have gone 3-3, with Russell Westbrook averaging 32.7 points, 9.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.2 steals over that span.