For the third straight season, the Oklahoma City Thunder will have to do battle in the playoffs with a major injury to one of its three best players, if they even manage to hold on to the playoff spot they currently have.

What's worse, is that this time around, they'll have to manage without reigning MVP Kevin Durant.

As reported by Yahoo Sports, Durant will have season-ending foot surgery that will sideline him for four to six months. It will be the third procedure the All-Star forward will be having on his injured right foot in six months.

Durant was earlier removed from all basketball activities on Mar. 20, and after several consultations with doctors, the Thunder admitted that the 27-year-old's Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal of his foot is now showing signs of regression with soreness in the foot brought about by the persistent inflammation of the cuboid bone. According to the Yahoo Sports report, the surgery, which will be undergone in New York, includes a bone graft procedure, and is scheduled some time this week.

"These in-person consults were designed to further supplement the previous evaluations of Dr. Bob Anderson," Thunder general manager Sam Presti wrote in a team statement, "Several conference calls and discussions amongst the specialist team concluded that, while the majority of the soreness in Kevin's foot was related to the continued inflammation of the cuboid bone and would subside with rest, the evaluation process also determined that the Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal, which had shown significant healing previously, was now demonstrating signs of regression.

"With the focus of this process being aimed entirely on Kevin's long term health and stability, it was the consensus of the specialists team, in addition to a collective decision by Kevin, his representation and the Thunder, that to address the setback of the fracture site, a bone graft procedure would be the most proactive and recommended approach," Presti added.

In just 27 games for the Thunder this season, Durant averaged 25.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.