MINNEAPOLIS -- Oklahoma City isnt just a place where Thunder star Kevin Durant lives these days. Its home. So as he watched the horrifying images Monday as a tornado ripped through suburban Moore, the emotions came bubbling to the surface and so did the need to help. Durant pledged $1 million for tornado relief through his foundation on Tuesday, eager to help a devastated area begin to rebuild. "As the day went on and I saw the footage and the casualties and the houses being blown away, it was tough to see," said Durant, who was in Minneapolis to watch longtime friend Monica Wright play a preseason game for the Minnesota Lynx. "I call Oklahoma City my home. I go through Moore all the time. Its unfortunate. Were going to come together as a city like we always do and were going to bounce back." Durant has been in Oklahoma City for five years now, ever since the Seattle SuperSonics moved there in 2008. Hes become a fixture in the community, in addition to establishing himself as one of the very best players in the NBA. He said he was hoping to return home Wednesday to try and lift the spirits of an area reeling from the deaths of some two dozen people, including children. "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 American Red Cross said the gift from Durants foundation is meant to match other donations and be an incentive for more people to give. The Thunder also announced a $1 million donation, as did the NBA and players union. "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 issued by the team. "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 weeks 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." When Durant initially heard reports of a tornado near Oklahoma City, he didnt pay them much mind. A veteran of the area now, he knows twisters can be a regular occurrence this time of year. It quickly became apparent that this one was different, and Durant could barely watch it all unfold. "It hit so close to home," he said. "It was tough to see." And it made the Thunders early exit from the playoffs sting that much more. With Russell Westbrook out because of a knee injury, the Thunder were beaten by the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference semifinals, a disappointing finish for a team that advanced to the NBA Finals a year ago. "I wish I couldve done a better job for my team to stay in the playoffs because of course basketball and sporting events bring everyone together," Durant said. "It takes your mind off it for a few hours." The Thunder boast one of the most loyal and passionate fan bases in the league. Durant averaged 30.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the playoffs, but the rest of his teammates struggled to step up and fill Westbrooks void. "Theres some part of me wishing I couldve played better for my team to stay in the playoffs," Durant said. "Hopefully they get back on their feet. Its so tough. Praying for the families. Im feeling for them." Nike Epic React Flyknit Nere . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. Vapormax Plus Blu . Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. http://www.airmaxshopitalia.it/vapormax-scontate.html . As the crowd erupted, Davis knocked the ball off the glass and back into his hands. With 1:14 to go in overtime, Davis sixth block also became his 17th rebound. That, along with his 32 points -- which tied a career high -- proved too much for Denver to overcome, and the Pelicans held on for their third straight victory, 111-107 on Sunday night. Air Max 2019 Offerta . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. Nike Air Max 270 Flyknit Scontate . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. ATLANTA -- Zane Gonzalez of Arizona State has claimed the Lou Groza award as the nations top kicker.The senior made 23 of 25 field attempts, with both misses coming from 53 yards. He tied an FBS record with three field goals longer than 50 yards in one game, including a career-best 59-yarder.Gonzalez finished with 108 points, also making 39 of 40 PATs.ddddddddddddThe other finalists Thursday night were Daniel Carlson of Auburn and Younghoe Koo of Georgia Southern.---For more AP college football coverage: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '