Enes Kanter Injury: Updates on Thunder Star's Ankle and Return

Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's 122-118 victory over the Boston Celtics, head coach Scott Brooks confirmed. Kanter is slated to return against the Heat.

Continue for updates.

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Kanter to Return vs. Heat

Sunday, March 22

"Coach Brooks says Enes Kanter returns to lineup today," per the team's official Twitter account.

Kanter missed the Hawks game over the weekend.

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Kanter Not Practicing

Thursday, March 19

"Enes Kanter did not practice today. Scott Brooks says if they were playing tonight, he wouldn't play. They'll see how he feels tomorrow," ESPN.com's Royce Young reported.

On March 18, Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman provided Brooks' comments on Kanter's status:

Shams Charania of Real GM reported that x-rays on Kanter's ankle were negative.

Kanter, 22, scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds in 31 minutes. He appeared to roll his ankle on a fourth-quarter rebound attempt and was replaced late by Andre Roberson as the Thunder chose to go small down the stretch. Oklahoma City was already playing without forwards Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka, so any absence from Kanter will be another critical blow to the team's playoff hopes.

The Thunder's win over Boston allowed them to push a half-game ahead of New Orleans for the West's final playoff spot, but the signs of weakness are showing. Durant, Ibaka and Kanter all being out with injury will only serve to foist more responsibility on Russell Westbrook. While Westbrook's acquitted himself well carrying his and Durant's scoring load, it's unlikely he'll be able to grow a foot and add rim protection overnight as well.

With a matchup over the East-leading Hawks coming Friday, this is the worst possible time for another Thunder player to go down.

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