Kevin Durant: 'Oklahoma City Thunder ready to rise to challenge'

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant has insisted that his side can rise to the challenge of reaching the playoffs next season.

The Thunder failed to make the post-season in the last campaign, despite posting a 45-37 record, as they placed ninth in the Western Conference.

Durant said at an event in Spain: "I think we have a really good team. We have to come together and play as one which is harder than people realise.

"We're ready to take on the challenge. We're under the radar a little bit right now and that's exactly where we want to be."

Durant missed the majority of last season due to a foot injury.