Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns didn’t get the news they wanted on Thursday.
The All-Star forward is expected to miss more time after a pregame slip during Wednesday night warmups led to an ankle injury.
«Further evaluation confirmed that Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant has suffered a sprained left ankle. He will be reevaluated in three weeks,» the team announced Thursday.
Durant was set to make his home debut for the Suns after the team acquired him from the Brooklyn Nets before the NBA trade deadline. During his regular warm-up routine, Durant made a dunk attempt and slipped as he went up, video capturing him twisting his ankle in the process.
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Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant warms up before a game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 5, 2023 in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
While he remained on the floor for a few seconds, Durant got back up and finished his routine before returning to the locker room. One report also noted that he adjusted his shoelaces before resuming the warm-up.
However, Durant ended up being a late scratch for the Suns before their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now, he could miss the rest of the regular season.
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«I feel bad for him because he feels bad,» Suns coach Monty Williams said, according to ESPN. «I saw his face and, I’ve been around him so many times, I know what he feels and I don’t want him to feel that way.»
Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns during the game on March 5, 2023 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. (Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Suns’ regular season finale is April 9 against the Los Angeles Clippers. As the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference right now, the Suns are expected to make the playoffs.
Durant’s tenure in Phoenix thus far has been less than ideal. He didn’t immediately walk onto the court with his new teammates because he was still recovering from an MCL sprain he suffered in January with the Nets.
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In all three games he played with the Suns, Durant looked like his normal, highly productive self. His last performance was his best with 37 points against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Suns have won all three games with Durant in their lineup.
Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 3, 2023 in Chicago. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
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Phoenix still has Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton who can make up for the loss of Durant on the offensive end. However, the Suns have to hope this isn’t a long-term thing after Durant’s arrival created an impressive starting five to play against.