Kevin Durant, Thunder donate $2 million to Oklahoma tornado relief

As the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore recovers from a tornado which left 24 dead Monday, the capital city’s NBA team and All-Star forward Kevin Durant have pledged $2 million in support for the community that has so embraced the organization.

“As the day went on and I saw the footage and the casualties and the houses being blown away, it was tough to see,” Durant said, according to the Associated Press. “I call Oklahoma City my home. I go through Moore all the time. It’s unfortunate. We’re going to come together as a city like we always do and we’re going to bounce back.”

Durant made a $1-million donation to the American Red Cross through his family foundation Tuesday.

The Thunder star said he planned on returning to the Oklahoma City area Wednesday to do what he could to raise spirits following the devastation.

“Just to get to the hospital, see some kids,” Durant said. “Something. Just something to give some hope. Playing for the Thunder, we mean so much to the state. So many people support us and I just want to go back and support those people.”

The Thunder also made a $1-million donation in conjunction with the Thunder Cares Foundation to local chapters of the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other disaster relief organizations Tuesday.

“Our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastation that has occurred within our community this week,” Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett said in a statement. “We are focusing Thunder resources to help where we can in the relief efforts and to support the organizations that are on the ground assisting those affected by this week’s storms. Even with so much loss, the strength and resiliency of this community have once again been on display, and we will continue to work together as our community and state recover from this disaster.”

The NBA and the NBA Players Assn. also announced plans to contribute $1 million to support relief efforts.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report