Durant thought broken foot may have been career-ending

Kevin Durant is two wins away from reaching the NBA Finals, but it was just a year ago he was concerned his career might be over.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star was limited to 27 games last season after surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot, and he admitted there was a thought that the long-term affects could hinder him from returning to playing an All-Star level.

"I was scared, I was worried," Durant told Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated. "Will I be back again? Will I be who I am? A year ago people were telling me my career might be over and I listened to that stuff, not because I'm sensitive but because I used it for fuel. I've always done that."

Despite the worry, the injury failed to limit him in 2015-16. Durant bounced back to average 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and five assists across 72 regular-season games, and now the Thunder hold a 2-1 series lead over the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals.

The grind of a long season also doesn't seem to be adding to any wear and tear on his surgically repaired foot. Over the past six games - games 81 through 86 for Durant on the season - he's averaging 31.5 points in 40.3 minutes.