Kevin Durant injury update: Suns star expected to return from injury against Timberwolves

Kevin Durant has played only three games for the Phoenix Suns since arriving from the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadline. Durant suffered an ankle injury in the pregame shootaround on Mar. 8 against the OKC Thunder in what was supposed to be his home debut.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Durant is set to return to the Suns lineup on Wednesday (Mar. 29) at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Phoenix initially put KD's timeline of recovery at three weeks. The former MVP is expected to play if he doesn't suffer any setbacks.

Durant slipped and turned his ankle during warmups. He went for a layup when he stepped into what appeared to be a wet spot. It was another freak accident for Durant, who was recovering from a knee injury when the Suns traded for him.

Shams Charania

@ShamsCharania

After missing 10 games with a sprained ankle, Phoenix Suns All-NBA star Kevin Durant will make his return Wednesday vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves barring setback, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

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After missing 10 games with a sprained ankle, Phoenix Suns All-NBA star Kevin Durant will make his return Wednesday vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves barring setback, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. https://t.co/vePOrtWS7W

Kevin Durant has been great for the Phoenix Suns in the three games he has played for them. Durant is averaging 26.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists, shooting 69.0% from the field, 53.8% from beyond the arc and 88.2% from the charity stripe.

In the ten games Durant missed due to the ankle injury, the Suns have gone 4-6. Nevertheless, they are still fourth in the Western Conference, with a record of 40-35. They're five games behind the Sacramento Kings (45-30) and just 3.5 games ahead of the 11th-seeded Dallas Mavericks (37-39).

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Kevin Durant continues back-and-forth with Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley (left) and Kevin Durant

Charles Barkley has been a vocal critic of Kevin Durant over the last few years. Barkley added a new chapter to his beef with Durant in an appearance on "60 Minutes."

The Hall of Famer thinks KD is part of the new generation of players who do not like being criticized.

"He's very sensitive," Barkley said. "Great player. He's part of that generation who think he can't be criticized. He's never looked in the mirror and said, 'Man, is that a fair criticism?"

Durant responded to Barkley on Twitter, asking him if he's not tired of going after him. He also noted that he will never take Barkley seriously.

Kevin Durant

@KDTrey5

This ain’t gettin tiring chuck? I’ll never respect the words that come out ya mouth fam just deal with it twitter.com/awfulannouncin…

Awful Announcing

@awfulannouncing

Charles Barkley on Kevin Durant: "He's very sensitive. Great player. He's part of that generation who think he can't be criticized. He's never looked in the mirror and says 'Man, is that a fair criticism?'"

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Charles Barkley on Kevin Durant: "He's very sensitive. Great player. He's part of that generation who think he can't be criticized. He's never looked in the mirror and says 'Man, is that a fair criticism?'" https://t.co/X16UpFXM7e

This ain’t gettin tiring chuck? I’ll never respect the words that come out ya mouth fam just deal with it twitter.com/awfulannouncin…

Barkley was critical of Durant when he joined the Golden State Warriors in 2016. He also called out KD for the Brooklyn Nets' early exit in last year's playoffs, ushering the "bus driver" narrative. When Durant was traded to the Suns, Barkley called him a "baby."

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