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After recovering from a right knee MCL sprain that he carried for nearly two months, Kevin Durant has been upgraded to probable by the Phoenix Suns for their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. KD hasn’t played since Jan. 8, when his former team, the Brooklyn Nets, edged the Miami Heat 102-101.
The injury happened when Heat forward Jimmy Butler rolled onto Durant's knee. Durant clutched his knee, grimacing in pain immediately after the contact. The Nets informed the media a day after the game that he had an MCL sprain and would be out indefinitely.
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Kevin Durant and his new team, the Phoenix Suns, reportedly targeted March 1 as a possible return date as he progressed as expected. There were positive signs during the All-Star break that the date they were looking at was going to be just right.
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Update: Durant started Wednesday night.
The Phoenix Suns (33-29) are in the thick of the fight in the tightly-contested Western Conference standings. They are currently fourth, so Durant’s return could not have come at a better time. The top four teams will have home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. The top six avoid the play-in tournament.
What is Kevin Durant’s impact on the Phoenix Suns?
Anytime a player of Kevin Durant’s caliber and skill set plays for a new team or even a new conference, the balance of power shifts. He is the kind of player who can single-handedly change the whole projection of an entire team.
The Phoenix Suns had +1,800 odds of winning the 2023 NBA championship in most sports books before KD’s acquisition. Phoenix is now +425. Durant has that kind of impact.
On the court, KD is perhaps NBA history’s most malleable offensive star. Suns coach Monty Williams will have no problem utilizing him wherever and however he sees best. Williams knows he has an MVP-type player on his hands, the best on his roster.
Durant’s presence alone will open up opportunities for Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Defenses can no longer chase Booker all around without fear of getting burned by a walking mismatch that can go off anytime.
Chris Paul’s role as a playmaker will also become significantly more fun and exciting. He now has two elite scoring threats surrounding him and a versatile big who can dominate inside the paint.
The Paul, Durant, Booker and Ayton foursome is so great that it may not even matter who plays alongside them. Torrey Craig could be the lucky player to complete Monty Williams’ fearsome five. Josh Okogie started Wednesday night.
Will the Phoenix Suns have enough bench contributions to win the NBA championship?
Acquiring Kevin Durant meant letting go of several pieces, including a few of the Phoenix Suns’ bench players. Charles Barkley was hesitant to put the favorite tag on Phoenix as he wasn’t sure about the team's bench strength.
The addition of Terrence Ross off the buyout market significantly helps. Ross, Josh Okogie, Landry Shamet, Bismack Biyombo, Jock Landale, T.J. Warren, Cameron Payne, Ish Wainwright and Damion Lee will be tasked with backing up the starting lineup.
Monty Williams may have to stagger his starting unit’s minutes to keep the bench from getting overwhelmed.
