The infamous Kevin Durant fall and injury sustained pregame as Phoenix Suns star is forced out again
As Kevin Durant went through his shooting routine during warmups Wednesday night, he slipped while going for a layup, injuring his left ankle in the process. It's still not determined if his slip was due to a wet spot on the floor.
The Phoenix Suns hosted the OKC Thunder on Wednesday in what was supposed to be Durant's debut in Phoenix.
Kevin Durant's injury and return timeline
There is concern within the Suns organization that Kevin Durant has a grade 2 ankle sprain, which would keep him out 4-6 weeks per @azcentral.
“It’s possible Durant could miss the remainder of the regular season and potentially the start of the playoffs.”
Losing Kevin Durant is a huge blow for the Phoenix Suns (37-29) as Durant is averaging 29.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season and has played just three games after a blockbuster trade last month. Phoenix, which is fourth in the Western Conference, has won seven of its last 10 games, including won 4 straight.
The problem is also in the the timeline for Durant's return. The Phoenix Suns and star player Devin Booker will have to finish strong in their final 16 games and may not have KD for any of those.
The Suns also have depth issues with Kevin Durant now sidelined. To acquire Durant, Phoenix traded Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and four unprotected first-round draft picks in 2023, 2025, 2027, 2028 and a 2029 pick swap. The team also got T.J. Warren in the deal.
Durant's injury puts even more pressure on Booker to lead his team into the first round of the playoffs with a huge offensive load on his shoulders.
In KD's absence, the Suns' depth revolves around Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Dendre Ayton, Damion Lee, Josh Okogie, Cameron Payne, Torrey Craig, Warren, Terrence Ross and Ish Wainright.
The team is coached by Monty Williams, who guided the Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals before losing to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
With Durant possibly out for the first round of the playoffs, it makes for a possible matchup against the Golden State Warriors all the more interesting.
Although the West is so tightly contested that the standings could change drastically before the season ends, Phoenix would play defending champion Golden State if the season were to end today. The matchup could be something to keep an eye out for as Warriors stars Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have won four championships together.