Kevin Durant Ankle Injury Updates: Return Dates & More
At the Footprint Center in Phoenix, a slip during warmups—possibly on a damp place on the floor—could derail the Western Conference playoff race. The NBA fans will have to wait a little longer to see Kevin Durant make his Suns Debut!
Kevin Durant Ankle Injury Updates: Return Dates & More
Because of what was described as “left ankle pain,” Kevin Durant missed what was supposed to be his home debut as a Sun on Wednesday night after slipping on that location during warmups.
It appears to be much more than soreness — there is concern among the team this is a grade 2 ankle sprain, which would have him out 4-6 weeks, reports Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
There is concern within the Suns’ organization that Kevin Durant has a grade 2 sprain and could miss the remainder of the regular season and potentially the start of the playoffs, per @azcentral pic.twitter.com/QSQ4CfPWuI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 9, 2023
“The Arizona Republic has learned that there is concern within the organization that Durant has a grade 2 sprain, which would keep him out for between four and six weeks.
Phoenix’s regular-season finale is April 9, meaning it’s possible Durant could miss the remainder of the regular season and potentially the start of the playoffs.”
After Kevin Durant's injury, we wonder if perhaps the Sports Gods really do hate Arizona pic.twitter.com/WbIWsfUqD2
— Bickley & Marotta Mornings on Arizona Sports (@Bickley_Marotta) March 9, 2023
It would be a significant setback for a Suns club that was thought to be a title contender following the trade deadline acquisition of Durant. Phoenix is 3-0 since Durant entered the lineup, and he is averaging 26.7 points and 7.3 assists per game on absurdly efficient shooting (80.8 true shooting % with the Suns).
Due to a knee injury sustained earlier this season while still with the Nets, Durant missed 20 games, including the first six after being moved to Phoenix.
After rolling his ankle, Kevin Durant continued warming up. He did appear to jump off the injured ankle pic.twitter.com/OTcm8JkC5i
— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) March 9, 2023
The Phoenix will still make the playoffs even without Durant (they’ll likely finish in the top six in the West), but they won’t get the chance to bond deeply or form the positive habits necessary to go far in the postseason (and that’s if he returns in time for the playoffs to begin). Plans for a championship parade in Phoenix may have to be postponed for a year as a result.
Without Durant, the Suns comfortably defeated the Thunder 132-101 thanks to Devin Booker’s 44 points. In what was otherwise a difficult night in Phoenix, there was some short-term news.
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