Call it a comeback: Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony plan to practice with Team USA this week in Las Vegas, the first substantive on-court activity for the All-Stars coming back from season-ending injuries.
Durant had food surgery and played in only 27 games after winning the NBA MVP Award in 2014.
Anthony had left knee surgery to repair a tendon and sat out the second half of the 2014-15 season. He said in June he was right on schedule for his comeback.
The practices Tuesday and Wednesday are part of a three-day minicamp for Team USA under the direction of coach Mike Krzyzewski, culminating in a public intrasquad scrimmage Thursday at Thomas and Mack Center. Neither player will participate in the scrimmage.
The extensively veteran roster is comprised of 34 players, including LeBron James and 11 of last year’s 12-man FIBA World Cup team (Derrick Rose is the exception), and seven newcomers: Jimmy Butler (Bulls), Michael Carter-Williams (Bucks), Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green (Warriors), Mike Conley (Grizzlies) and Tobian Harris and Victor Oladipo (Magic).