The 13-time All-Star stumbled on the court during pregame warm-ups and was ruled out against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night due to left ankle pain.
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Kevin Durant has a sprained left ankle after sliding on the court during pregame warmups Wednesday night, according to the Phoenix Suns, and will be assessed in three weeks. The expectation was that the 34-year-old player wouldn’t be gone for long as a result of the unfortunate event, but he now seems to be out until April. If that’s the case, the Suns will only have five games left until the playoffs begin.
Durant has appeared in just three games — all on the road — since joining the Suns in a blockbuster trade deadline deal that brought the Brooklyn Nets Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round selections, and additional draught compensation.
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During pregame warmups for the team’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 13-time All-Star stumbled on the court. It was meant to be his first home game. Durant was driving to the hoop during warmups when he twisted his left ankle while jumping. He instantly stood up and resumed his warmup routine, but the Suns announced Durant’s absence some minutes later.
Despite this, the Suns defeated the Thunder 132-101 thanks to Devin Booker’s 44-point performance. The Phoenix have looked like a juggernaut in Durant’s three games, winning all three. Chris Paul, Booker, and Deandre Ayton were also among the outstanding starters.
“He’s out there, working his tail off, getting ready for the game, and twisting his ankle,” Suns coach Monty Williams said after Wednesday’s game. “You can’t get frustrated about that. It’s life, you know what I’m saying? I felt bad for him because he feels bad.”
In his three games with Phoenix, Durant averaged 26.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. He was not present when the locker room doors were unlocked for postgame media access. In February, Phoenix made a blockbuster trade for Durant and T.J. Warren, sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round selections, and additional draught compensation to the Brooklyn Nets.
The Phoenix have looked like a juggernaut in Durant’s three games, winning all three. The mistake, though, served as a reminder that the 34-year-old has missed a lot of time due to injury over the last four seasons.
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