Things are looking better for Darius Bazley.
The Thunder rookie forward is continuing to work back from a bone bruise in his right knee that he suffered in a loss to the Celtics back on Feb. 9.
The medical staff initially ruled him out for four-to-six weeks before being re-evaluated, and although Billy Donovan told reporters before Thursday’s game against the Sacramento Kings that Bazley has made “significant progress”, according to Erik Horne of The Athletic, Donovan said as of now, Oklahoma City is not planning on deviating from the original plan.
Per Horne, Donovan did add, however, that “everything they’ve put him (Bazley) through, he’s responded really well to.”
Bazley’s injury occurred late in the first quarter of Oklahoma City’s loss to the Celtics on a drive to the basket. Bazley tried to Euro step past both Enes Kanter and Grant Williams, landing awkwardly as he planted his right leg.
Prior to injuring his knee, Bazley had appeared in all 53 games for the Thunder and is averaging 4.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in his first year in the league.
One thing that Bazley might have a little more time for as he rehabs his knee is organizing his shoe collection.
The rookie, who interned at New Balance last year instead of playing collegiately, showed off his kicks on his Instagram Thursday afternoon with the caption “I love New Balance” with a heart and shoe emoji.
