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Kevin Durant, after suffering an ankle injury, could be sidelined for the remaining games of the regular season. Losing KD leaves the Phoenix Suns in a depleted state.
After fully recovering from his MCL sprain from his time with the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant was able to play in just three games with his new team before coming up short in making his debut at the Suns' arena.
However, recent reports indicate KD may be able to return quicker. He is expected to be re-evaluated at the end of this month.
Kevin Durant's possible early return
With recent updates regarding Kevin Durant's injury timeline, Phoenix Suns fans have something to be positive about regarding his recovery.
The Phoenix Suns (37-31) are fourth in the Western Conference and have won six of their last 10 games but have lost two straight already.
It has been a tough situation with Kevin Durant sidelined, as his availability makes up for the lack of depth in the bench unit. Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul have stepped it up in his absence but are going to need more from the role players on the team.
Kevin Durant's three-game stretch with the Phoenix Suns prior to his injury
Kevin Durant is averaging 29.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists, while shooting an impressive 56.6%, including 38.6% from 3-point range. During his three-game stretch with the Phoenix Suns before going down with an ankle injury, KD averaged 26.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 3.7 apg.
His best performance was in a 130-126 win over the Dallas Mavericks on March 5. He went up against Luka Doncic, who had 34 points and 9 rebounds, and his former teammate on the Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie Irving, who had 30 points and seven assists while shooting 10-for-19, including 3 of 8 from 3-point range.
Kevin Durant held his own during that matchup as he totaled 37 points and seven rebounds, while shooting 12-for-17, including 3-for-5 from 3-point range. His All-Star teammate, Devin Booker, had 36 points, 10 assists and five rebounds while shooting 15-for-25.
It was an All-Star-studded marquee matchup between the Suns and Mavericks as it featured the duel between the two former Brooklyn Nets teammates and a Western Conference finals rematch between Booker and Doncic.
As the Phoenix Suns (37-31) await Kevin Durant's return, they need consistent effort from their main players in Booker, Ayton and Paul. The team also needs significant contributions from their second unit in Damion Lee, Josh Okogie, Terrence Ross, Ish Wainright, T.J. Warren, Cameron Payne, Torrey Craig, Jock Landale and Landry Shamet.
With the goal of reaching the NBA Finals just like they did in 2021, they're still going to need a healthy Kevin Durant, even with a collective effort from everyone on the Phoenix Suns roster,
Guess the Lakers players!
