Oklahoma City Thunder notebook: Kevin Durant's status for Monday's game vs. Dallas uncertain

As his teammates showered, dressed and departed the visitor's locker room, Durant lingered, still seated and still visibly suffering from a third-quarter injury that the team diagnosed as a right rib contusion.

Cavs forward Alonzo Gee inadvertently kneed Durant in the back while driving to the basket with 6:04 left in the third quarter, causing Durant to briefly leave the game two minutes later. After returning to the bench moments later, Durant returned to the game with 9:55 remaining in the fourth and finished the game. Despite what appeared to be extreme discomfort, Durant downplayed the injury when asked about it.

“If I can play, I'm all right,” Durant said. “I was good. I came (back) in and played so that's all that matters.”

Durant's status for Monday's game against Dallas is uncertain. Durant has missed only 14 games in 5 1/2 seasons.

The team took Sunday off and did not practice. It's likely that Durant will be evaluated at Monday morning's shoot-around and possibly even be listed as a game-time decision if his pain and discomfort lingers.

“It's always a concern, but we'll see how he feels,” said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. “He was good enough to come back. He's fine. We're not going to put him out there if he's not ready to play the way that we need him to play. But he was fine.”

NOWITZKI'S STATUS UNCERTAIN DUE TO INJURY

Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki has missed the Mavs' past two contests with a sore right hip. His status for Monday's game against the Thunder is uncertain.

Nowitzki has played in only 18 games this season. He missed the Mavs' first 27 while recovering from off-season knee surgery. He is currently averaging 14.8 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 42.5 percent, the lowest production in those statistical categories since his rookie season.