The Phoenix Suns suffered a setback on Wednesday.
All-NBA forward Kevin Durant is expected to miss at least one week due to a left ankle sprain he suffered on Tuesday night, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The two-time NBA champion (2017, 2018) and 14-time All-Star suffered the injury late in the second quarter of Phoenix’s 104-93 win over the San Antonio Spurs (11-10) on Tuesday night. As Durant went to take a shot, he stepped on the left foot of Spurs forward Julian Champagnie.
Durant previously suffered a calf strain on Nov. 8 against the Dallas Mavericks (14-8) prior to returning to action in each of the Suns’ last four games.
When he has taken to the court this season, Durant has put up an average of 25.8 points per game, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 53.6 percent from the field.
The Suns are 12-8, but that does not tell the entire story. Phoenix is 11-2 with Durant in the lineup but only 1-6 without him.
Phoenix will begin its four-game road trip Wednesday night with games against the New Orleans Pelicans (4-18), Miami Heat (9-10), Orlando Magic (15-8) and Utah Jazz (4-17). While Durant’s one-week absence would keep him sidelined for the first three games of the road trip, there is a chance he could make his return against Utah depending on the severity of the injury.
The Suns will turn to Devin Booker (25 PPG) and Bradley Beal (17.5 PPG) for increased production. Players like Grayson Allen (10.5 PPG), Royce O’Neale (9.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG) and Ryan Dunn (six PPG) should see their roles increase with Durant out of action.
Although the upcoming schedule is manageable for Phoenix, it is crucial for the team’s long-term success that Durant is able to return to the lineup as soon as possible, given Phoenix’s struggles without him.
