Kevin Durant’s absence from the Suns could reportedly come to an end as soon as next week as the star forward continues to make strides in his recovery from a sprained ankle he sustained earlier this month.
Barring any unforeseen setbacks, Durant is progressing toward a potential return to action on March 29 against the Timberwolves in Phoenix, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Friday’s news aligns with a previously reported update from March 9 stating the 35-year-old would be re-evaluated in two weeks as Phoenix continued to monitor the swelling in his ankle and his overall rehab.
Durant, who was traded to the Suns on Feb. 9, has been sidelined since March 8 after sustaining an ankle injury during warmups prior to a game against the Thunder. The Wednesday night matchup, an eventual 132–101 Suns win, was set to mark the 13-time All-Star’s home debut with the team.
With Durant reportedly nearing a return, the Suns star appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario initially feared by the team of the ankle sprain causing him to miss the rest of the regular season and possibly the start of the playoffs. If he returns next Wednesday, Durant will have missed a total of 10 games but would have a chance to play in the final seven games of the regular season. It’s worth noting the Suns have gone 2–5 with KD out of the lineup, to this point.
Despite enduring another season marred by injuries, Durant has been stellar in limited action with the Suns, averaging 26.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in three appearances. Phoenix has won all three matchups with KD on the floor, and figures to benefit greatly from his return for a pivotal march to the postseason.
Entering Friday’s matchup against the Kings, the Suns (38–34) are tied with the Clippers for fourth place in the West, and sit just one game ahead of the No. 6 seed Warriors (38–36) and two games ahead of the No. 7 seed Timberwolves (37–37).
