Collison Still Weeks from returning

John Rohde/NEWS OK: Power forward Nick Collison, a key component in the Thunder’s nine-man rotation last season, said he could play through the pain of his lower leg stress reaction. However, bring prudent at the beginning of the season likely will improve his chances of being available later in the season. Collison, who turns 30 on Tuesday and is entering his seventh NBA season, has yet to practice. The Thunder opens the season at home Wednesday against Chicago. “It’s a tough injury because I feel pretty good walking around,” Collison said after Saturday’s practice. “It’s not a question of if I can play right now. I play through pain all the time. Guys always do it. I could play through the pain right now, but if I start to grind on it when it’s not healed yet, there’s going to come a point where it starts to go back downhill, and that means I would have to sit out long term. I’m just trying to wait until the bone heals.” Conti...