'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQAAEEAwEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFABEhEgYTUQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQQRAAICAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAyEAERIiYf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AxZGg1y4DVeYqNzpKE/cCfbflzhT+7HDvKbv4hU1d1YwW2nFIizH2UlT6tkNrKQToDvMYwm8JCVrqPZ+nojLlRWUbAqs//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After the long wait, Kevin Durant’s home debut for the Phoenix Suns will have to wait at least a few more days. The former NBA MVP unfortunately rolled his ankle during warmups before the Suns’ matchup against the OKC Thunder.
Basketball fans couldn’t resist sending in their thoughts after the incident:
“He slipped on Devin Bookers tears from all the crying he does”
Kevin Durant sat out for nearly two months to recover from the right MCL sprain, which he acquired while still with the Brooklyn Nets. He played his first game for the Phoenix Suns last Mar. 1 on the road against the Charlotte Hornets.
KD also saw action in Windy City when the Suns visited the Chicago Bulls before he played against pal Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks. Phoenix was unbeaten during that stretch, which only added to the hype of Durant’s first action in front of the home crowd.
It just wasn’t meant to be as he had rolled his ankle. Fans who paid for premium tickets for this opportunity will be extremely frustrated, to say the least.
The injury was so freak one fad had to blurt out:
“You can’t make this stuff up lol wtf”
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams had to insert Torrey Craig into the starting lineup to replace Kevin Durant. The Suns held a 60-52 lead by halftime behind Devin Booker’s blistering first-half form where he finished with 30 points to lead all scorers.
The Phoenix Suns are looking to cement a top-four finish with or without Kevin Durant
The Phoenix Suns hold a 36-29 record, which is fourth in the bunched-up Western Conference, following their win over the Mavericks two nights ago. They’ve slowly climbed the rankings, now just 2.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies (38-26).
Memphis will be without the suspended Ja Morant for at least four more games, so the Suns can still catch them for the third seed. How they manage to play without Kevin Durant will be worth watching.
The Suns’ next 10 games will be crucial. They will have to hope they get KD as they have a slew of tough opponents. They’ll take on the Sacramento Kings, the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks in their next three games.
Phoenix will also have a rematch with the stubborn OKC Thunder before battling the LA Lakers, the Kings again and the Philadelphia 76ers. These will be difficult teams to deal with, even with Kevin Durant in the lineup.
Luckily, it seemed like Durant was fine as he managed to finish his pregame workout. The Suns may likely just be exercising extreme caution.
If Durant is compromised, the Suns will have an even tougher time trying to keep their current spot in the Western Conference. More importantly, they may not go far deep into the postseason without the former two-time NBA Finals MVP.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
