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NBA Insider Shams Charania has provided the latest update on injured Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant.
Durant last played for the Suns in their victory against the Dallas Mavericks on March 5. He finished the game with 37 points and seven rebounds. The former MVP recovered from an MCL sprain earlier in the season before injuring his left ankle during pregame workouts on March 8.
Initially expected to be sidelined for the rest of the regular season, the 34-year old forward is reportedly inching closer to a return. According to Shams Charania, Durant may be available in early April:
“Kevin Durant is doing more and more on the court. I would expect more evaluations later this week. I think there will be potentially an update later early next week when they revaluate him and see how much progress they have made.
"Definitely there is optimism within the Suns. They are going to be cautious but they are hopeful he is going to be back in the line-up before the end of March, potentially early April.”
He added:
“The goal was always there, 2-3 weeks, in that range. but they are going to be cautious. They know the best time for him is playoff time so making sure he is 100% not rushing himself back is going to be priority for them.”
Phoenix Suns want Kevin Durant to be fit for postseason
The Phoenix Suns have won just once in their last five games. They are fourth in the Western Conference with a 38-33 record. Devin Booker, Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton have performed well in Durant’s absence. However, the team has struggled to put together a consistent effort through four quarters.
The Suns were leading by 12 at halftime against the OKC Thunder on Sunday, but ended up losing 124-120 after a poor fourth quarter. Kevin Durant’s absence means that several role players have been forced to play more significant minutes. While the team doesn't have a lot of depth, fans will have nothing to worry about when Durant returns.
They have a comfortable 3.5 game cushion from the play-in tournament. This gives them the ability to be patient with Kevin Durant's rehabilition and return to full fitness.
The Suns acquired Durant in hopes that he would lead them to their first NBA championship. He looks to have developed good chemistry with his new teammates. Durant has averaged 26.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in three games with the Suns. Those numbers will only improve when he returns.
Guess the Lakers players!
