The Phoenix Suns suffered a setback on Wednesday.
All-NBA ahead Kevin Durant is anticipated to overlook at the very least one week as a consequence of a left ankle sprain he suffered on Tuesday night time, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The 2-time NBA champion (2017, 2018) and 14-time All-Star suffered the harm late within the second quarter of Phoenix’s 104-93 win over the San Antonio Spurs (11-10) on Tuesday night time. As Durant went to take a shot, he stepped on the left foot of Spurs ahead Julian Champagnie.
Durant beforehand suffered a calf pressure on Nov. 8 in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks (14-8) previous to returning to motion in every of the Suns’ final 4 video games.
When he has taken to the court docket this season, Durant has put up a mean of 25.8 factors per recreation, 6.7 rebounds and three.1 assists whereas taking pictures 53.6 p.c from the sphere.
The Suns are 12-8, however that doesn’t inform your entire story. Phoenix is 11-2 with Durant within the lineup however solely 1-6 with out him.
Phoenix will start its four-game street journey Wednesday night time with video games in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans (4-18), Miami Warmth (9-10), Orlando Magic (15-8) and Utah Jazz (4-17). Whereas Durant’s one-week absence would maintain him sidelined for the primary three video games of the street journey, there’s a likelihood he may make his return in opposition to Utah relying on the severity of the harm.
The Suns will flip to Devin Booker (25 PPG) and Bradley Beal (17.5 PPG) for elevated manufacturing. Gamers like Grayson Allen (10.5 PPG), Royce O’Neale (9.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG) and Ryan Dunn (six PPG) ought to see their roles improve with Durant out of motion.
Though the upcoming schedule is manageable for Phoenix, it’s essential for the crew’s long-term success that Durant is ready to return to the lineup as quickly as potential, given Phoenix’s struggles with out him.