Why is Kevin Durant not playing tonight against Sacramento Kings? Latest injury update for 14x All-Star (Nov. 10)
Kevin Durant will not play on Sunday night against the Sacramento Kings. The Phoenix Suns' 14x All-Star is on the injury report, citing a left calf strain. Durant suffered the injury on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks. He played through it and made it out of the game, but the injury is holding him back from playing for at least two weeks.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, that's when his next re-evaluation is scheduled. Durant was playing at an MVP-caliber level. He averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in his nine games. Durant led the Suns to an 8-1 record, including multiple clutch wins.
The Suns could struggle in his absence as Durant was the key difference-maker with co-stars Devin Booker and Bradley Beal struggling. The good thing is that the Suns have enough wins in the bank. Their schedule is also up and down.
Meanwhile, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal will get significant time to find their rhythm, and they could be in better form once Kevin Durant returns.
Kevin Durant's workload needs to ease up in year 16
Kevin Durant is in his 16th active season. However, his production remains elite. He's also carried an immense burden in the first nine games on both ends of the floor. Durant played a team-high 38.8 minutes a night. That ranks second in the NBA. The Suns cannot be relying so much on their best player.
The 35-year-old hasn't slowed down by much with his production, but his body seemingly can't hold up the same workload it did in his prime. Since he went down with an Achilles injury in 2019, Durant has dealt with a bevy of injuries.
2023-24 was a one-off where he played 75 games, the most since the 2018-19 season when he suited up 78 times.
How to watch Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns?
NBC Sports California and Arizona's Family 3TV / Arizona's Family Sports will provide local coverage of the Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns game. Viewers outside the local regions can watch the contest live via NBA League Pass from 8:00 p.m. ET onwards.
The Suns remain -1.5 favorites despite Kevin Durant's absence to win Sunday's game. Devin Booker and Bradley Beal haven't got going, but their potential is well-known. If the team can rediscover its mojo, Phoenix could storm to a 9-1 record behind its homecourt advantage.