The Phoenix Suns only just acquired Kevin Durant a few weeks ago, and it looks like they might have to hold their breath for a little while about his health.
Before Phoenix took on the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday, Durant would be a last-minute scratch. Why? He hurt his ankle while slipping during warmups. A video would circulate on Twitter where Durant went up for a routine layup and slipped on the floor while rising for his shot.
Durant would apparently finish his on-court work after taking a moment to gather himself but ultimately didn’t play in a 131-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder:
Here’s video of Kevin Durant slipping on the floor pregame.
He stayed down for a few seconds but then got up and finished his on-court work. pic.twitter.com/DwTrNc6LIr
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) March 9, 2023
While the extent of Durant’s left ankle sprain from this moment is unclear, it’s enough to hold him out for at least two weeks, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. (Not including rehab.)
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant is expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks with his left ankle sprain and return based on rehab progress, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Swelling has gone down in the ankle, which Durant injured slipping in pregame warmups Wednesday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 9, 2023
The Suns and Durant are hopeful of progress during the re-evaluation window that allows for the 13-time All-Star to return to action shortly after two weeks, sources said. Good news for KD and Phoenix following scary fall in warmups. https://t.co/BJmSPdBwMx
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 9, 2023
While it’s not as severe as some initially feared, two weeks and some change still encompass most of the Suns’ remaining regular season games. The next time Durant plays would likely be around late March … with only a handful of games left.
Durant could be the best plug-and-play player in the NBA, but even that might be a tough ask for him and the rest of the Suns to gel together before the playoffs. And considering the hype around Phoenix being a title contender with Durant, this is absolutely brutal news.
Maybe Phoenix does piece it all together during the postseason. But this unfortunate Durant injury mishap undoubtedly throws a wrench into those plans.
