SALT LAKE CITY — Forward Kevin Durant returned from a hamstring injury on Monday night and led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an impressive 111-89 blowout win over the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Durant showed no signs of rust after missing the past six games. The superstar scored a game-high 27 points, punishing the Jazz from inside and out.
Durant didn’t have as much of a load to carry, but Thunder guard Russell Westbrook continued his strong play with 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
The Thunder, who went 3-3 in Durant’s absence, improved to 9-6 overall and 3-3 on the road.
Forward Gordon Hayward was one of the only Jazz players to have a decent game. He scored a team-high 19 points and had four assists.
Utah, only playing its fourth home game, fell to 6-7. The Jazz have another road game on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers before their first homestand of more than one game.
Only two other Jazz players scored in double figures — power forward Derrick Favors (11 points, seven rebounds) and center Rudy Gobert (10 points).
Utah shot just 38 percent from the field for the game compared with Oklahoma City’s blistering 55 percent shooting.
Durant scored 11 points in the first quarter, including a dunk that ignited a game-changing surge for the Thunder. His bucket with 4:44 remaining in the first quarter trimmed the Jazz’s early lead to 14-11.
Oklahoma City then outscored Utah 40-26 in the second quarter to take control of a game the Jazz failed to make competitive.
Durant had back-to-back 3-pointers during a run in the second quarter when the Thunder outscored the Jazz 40-26.
Guard Alec Burks tied the score at 23-all early in the second quarter, but Oklahoma City scored eight straight and never looked back.
The Thunder got nice games from bench players Anthony Morrow (15 points) and Dion Waiters (12 points, six assists).
Oklahoma City dominated inside and out, hitting 11 of 27 3-pointers and outscoring Utah 44-38 in the paint.
Gobert left the game in the second half with a tailbone contusion. He didn’t play again after suffering the injury but was made available.
NOTES: Thunder F Kevin Durant credited his team’s medical staff for helping him get to the point where he could return from a hamstring injury that kept him out for six games. “I did the work that the trainers wanted me to do and I see those results. I’m excited I’m playing again,” Durant said in his pregame interview. “The trainers did a good job the last week and a half just pushing me and getting me better.” … Former Jazz C Enes Kanter took a measured approach in comments to Utah media before Monday’s game, unlike last March when he ripped his former organization after he was traded to the Thunder. “I think maybe I was a little harsh. But I just want to make it clear I had no problems with any of the players or any of the fans. I respect the guys and I think they helped me out a lot in my career.” … Thunder coach Billy Donavan was picked by the Jazz in the third round (68th overall) of the 1987 NBA Draft. He was cut by Utah before the regular season and later played one year for the New York Knicks.