According to ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania, Phoenix Suns Forward Kevin Durant was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain. He will be re-evaluated in one week. Durant was injured in the second quarter of last night’s 104-93 victory against the San Antonio Spurs. He had 13 points in 16 minutes on the floor before going down with the injury.
The Phoenix Suns have been very successful with Durant on the floor this season. They are 11-2 with Durant this season and 1-6 without him. Durant, now 36, is playing as well as ever this season averaging 25.8 points per game, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. How will the Phoenix Suns fare without one of the NBA’s best players?
Phoenix Suns Season Summary
Phoenix Suns All-NBA forward Kevin Durant will be re-evaluated in one week due to a left ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN. Durant suffered the injury while landing on a Spurs player’s foot during Phoenix’s win on Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/24Ab04UX4Z
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 4, 2024
Phoenix has gotten off to a strong start this season. They are 12-8 and currently the sixth seed in the Western Conference. The team hired former Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer during the offseason. He won a championship during the 2020-2021 NBA season, where he defeated the Suns, and brings his championship pedigree to the team. He looks to lead Phoenix to their first championship in franchise history.
Phoenix features one of the league’s fiercest trios with Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal leading the team. Even with this trio, Phoenix is 16th in the league in points per game and in the middle of the pack in both field goal and three-point percentage. The Phoenix defense has also been league average as they are 17th in opposing points per game.
Final Thoughts
The Phoenix Suns will embark on a four-game road trip beginning tomorrow against the New Orleans Pelicans without Durant. They will then face the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Utah Jazz before heading home to face the Portland Trail Blazers on December 15.
Unfortunately for Durant, the last few years of his career have been defined by injuries, and his latest injury is another example of that. It is difficult to predict when the future Hall of Famer will be able to return as he has already missed seven games this season with a calf strain he just recovered from. Phoenix will have to tread water with Booker and Beal leading the charge as they await the return of Durant. The Phoenix Suns, who improved their depth this offseason, will need to rely on their supporting pieces during another stretch of games without Durant.
