Thunder, Oklahoma Residents Share the Pain of Loss

Aftermath of tornado that ripped through Moore, OK on Monday (Reuters)

Kevin Durant will not bring home an NBA title to Oklahoma City this year. Instead, he’s giving them something bigger. The star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder has donated $1 million to the Red Cross in order to provide relief to victims of Oklahoma’s recent tornado outbreak.

Kevin Durant (AP)

Durant tweeted on Monday, “Praying for the victims of the tornadoes in OKC these last few days…Everybody stay safe!” Another $1 million is expected to come from the NBA and the players union. Thunder chairman Clay Bennett said, “Our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastation that has occurred within our community this week.” Sponsors of the Thunder are expected to donate millions of dollars to help.

Just days after the Thunder lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference semi-finals, a massive tornado slammed through Moore, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City. At least 24 people have been killed, an estimated 300 homes have been destroyed, and estimates of damages are expected to reach billions of dollars.