Kevin Durant will play Friday against Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are on the receiving end of some bad news.

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant will play on Friday against the Pelicans, reports John Reid of the Times-Picayune.

Durant took the last five days off to recover from a sprained left big toe, but is apparently feeling better.

There was also concern of Durant missing the All-Star game due to the injury, but his return likely voids that possibility.

In all, the Thunder are just 11-16 without Durant as compared to 14-8 with him in the lineup.

Due to injuries to Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder find themselves on the outside looking in with respect to the playoffs. They currently sit two games back of the Phoenix Suns for the eighth spot, but will first have to hurdle the Pelicans, who are one game up on the Thunder for ninth.

Injuries aside, Durant is enjoying yet another fantastic campaign, averaging 25.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 33.3 minutes. On a per-minute basis, Durant is posting a near-replica of his numbers from last season's MVP-winning performance.