Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant exited Tuesday night’s NBA Cup win over the San Antonio Spurs with an ankle injury. The injury occurred with four-and-a-half minutes to go in the second quarter as he rolled his ankle. Royce O’Neale replaced Durant shortly after his final sighting of the evening. He did convert a jump shot before his exit to take his tally to 13 points, which could suggest his withdrawal was nothing more than a precaution. Grayson Allen started the second half in his place before he was soon ruled out for the remainder of the game with what the team called a left ankle sprain.
Kevin Durant does not start the second half after appearing to grab at his ankle in the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/knri7FtIC1
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) December 4, 2024
Suns Star Kevin Durant Suffers Another Injury Blow as he Exits Game Early
The Suns Need Durant Healthy
The Suns will hope that this will be a short absence, if any absence at all, for Durant. After a relatively healthy season last year in which he missed just seven games, the forward has already missed that amount this campaign with a calf injury.
His side struggled without him, posting just a 1-6 record, though Bradley Beal was also missing for most of this stretch. The Suns can ill afford another extended period without their main man, especially in a Western Conference with several serious competitors. Durant has been performing at an MVP level and is not showing any signs of decline despite his growing age. Not including their victory over the Spurs, the Suns are 10-2 with Durant. This record has allowed them to keep pace with the best of the West despite the mounting losses when he is out.
Through 13 games, Durant has averaged 25.8 points on 53.6% shooting. He has been strong from deep, converting 44.9% of his three-point attempts. It is not only his offense that has proved crucial to the Suns’ success but also his anchoring defense and tutelage of rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro.
What is Ahead?
Head coach Mike Budenholzer did not have any update on Durant’s status postgame. He mentioned that the ankle stiffened up at halftime, preventing his return. He said the star will be re-evaluated the following morning to determine his availability going forward.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn't have any update on Kevin Durant as I asked him moving forward as Phoenix Suns begin three-game road trip Thursday against New Orleans.
Said Durant's ankle stiffened up on him at halftime. #Suns pic.twitter.com/9tiaOjHnw3
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 4, 2024
Should Durant miss any more time, the Suns will have to lean on Beal and Devin Booker. At 12-8, the Suns are sixth in the Western Conference, just 3.5 games behind the leading OKC Thunder. Potentially alongside Durant, the Suns will be without Jusuf Nurkic for at least a week due to a right thigh contusion. However, Ighodaro and Mason Plumlee have performed well in his place.
They now face a three-game road trip against the injury-hit New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic. The Suns have already played the two Florida sides, beating the Heat and losing to the Magic at home.
The Pelicans have endured a nightmare season, sitting bottom of the conference with a 4-18 record. This is due to several key absences, including Zion Williamson, who has played just six games so far. The Heat have also struggled, holding a losing 9-10 record, so the Suns should be favored in these two matchups. Orlando presents a much tougher task, with their top two defense primed to cause the Suns issues. While it is still early in the season, the Suns need to record wins. Even without Durant, they should still be able to deliver with both Beal and Booker on the court.
