Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant is pictured after the Thunder lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 90-87 in their NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, February, 27, 2011. REUTERS

NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant sprained his left ankle in the third quarter on Wednesday, but not before scoring 21 points in Oklahoma City's 113-89 victory over Indiana.

Durant was helped from the court after colliding with Indiana's Tyler Hansbrough on a drive to the basket, stepping on Hansbrough's foot with less than three minutes remaining in the quarter.

Durant, who missed two games in November when he sprained the same ankle, stayed in the game long enough to make his two free throws before departing with team trainers at his side.

"It's just a little tweak. I did it before," said Durant, who is averaging 28.5 points per game. "I've just got to see how it feels in the morning and hopefully I'm ready to go. I'm glad we got the win."

The Thunder were ahead by 23 points when Durant left the court and their 11-0 scoring run in the fourth quarter pushed their lead to 97-62.

Oklahoma City had scored the first 10 points of the game and never fell behind.

Even the Pacers' 10-0 scoring run in the fourth quarter could make little headway and they suffered their second-biggest defeat of the season.

Durant, who was wearing a protective boot after the game, said he didn't know how the latest injury compared to the one he suffered in November.

"We'll see tomorrow. I really can't tell," he said. "It has gotten better since I got off the floor, so hopefully that's a good sign."

AFP

(China Daily 03/04/2011 page24)