Kevin Durant VS Anthony Davis: MVP Returns For Oklahoma City Thunder Against New Orleans Pelicans – Will He Help OKC Make The Playoffs?

Rejoice NBA fans: Kevin Durant, last season's MVP, is back! After a 17-game absence with a Jones fracture in his foot, Durant will suit up and go head to head against this year's upstart MVP favorite, the New Orleans Pelicans' forward phenom Anthony Davis. He joins star teammate Russell Westbrook – who returned from a broken hand on Wednesday – as the superstar-laden Oklahoma City Thunder try to make an underdog push for the NBA playoffs. 

Thunder star Kevin Durant to make season debut Tuesday vs Pelicans https://t.co/e2Dn0LD5bn pic.twitter.com/zmqKbgFcQ6

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 2, 2014

Durant back is good news, obviously, but the biggest question, however, will be whether or not the Thunder – one of the starriest franchises in the NBA with Durant, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka – will be able to make headway in the playoff race amid the loaded Western Conference. They currently sit at 5-12, and have 65 games remaining of their 82 game schedule. They will likely have to go 45-20 the rest of the way to have a shot, and they're currently 4.5 games back from the final playoff spot currently occupied by the Phoenix Suns.  

ESPN's Royce Young explained that Thunder coach Scott Brooks confirmed that KD, who averaged a ridiculous 32 points a game last year, will take the floor against the Pelicans, and will play "around 30 minutes". It's a particular juicy matchup against Davis, who has announced himself this year as a contender with LeBron James, Durant and Steph Curry as one of the NBA's true superstars.  

Kevin Durant is back. Scott Brooks says KD will play tonight against the Pelicans.

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) December 2, 2014

Brooks says Durant will play around 30 minutes.

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) December 2, 2014

Young then went on to deliver quotes from Durant, who has only missed 14 games his entire career, before missing the 17 this season - asking about how his time off was: 

KD on his time off: "It made me more anxious. Pissed me off a little bit more."

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) December 2, 2014

And what effect his presence on the floor will have for his team:  

Durant: "I know the coaches and my teammates are going to be happy I'm off the bench screaming in their ear all game."

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) December 2, 2014

Even ESPN's Skip Bayless had some, er, kinda (?) heart-warming words, welcoming Durant back and hoping that he stays healthy.  

Welcome back, Kevin Durant. Hope foot stays completely healed. This surgery can be tricky.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 2, 2014

But perhaps Bayless can relax a little, because as In Street Clothes points out, the Thunder are in the top echelon of their players missing games due to injury. 

Surprised to see Durant & Westbrook back ahead of schedule? Don't be. OKC's medical staff has a great track record: https://t.co/WKREf3zeV5

— Jeff Stotts (@RotowireATC) December 2, 2014

What do you think: will the Thunder have enough fire power with Durant and Westbrook back to make the playoffs? Or should they be looking to make a trade to fortify their starting lineup? Who should they be targeting?