
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant will be reevaluated in a week after spraining his left ankle during Tuesday’s win against the San Antonio Spurs, the team announced on Wednesday.
Durant played 16 minutes in the first half before landing on an opponent’s foot and injuring his ankle. He briefly stayed in the game, even making a shot, before exiting and not returning for the second half.
Since mid-November, Durant has dealt with left calf and ankle issues. He missed seven games from Nov. 9-25 due to a left calf strain, during which the Suns went 1-6. While he returned on Nov. 26 against the Knicks, Durant tweaked his calf again a week later against the Nets, though it didn’t sideline him further.
The Suns embark on a road trip starting Thursday in New Orleans, followed by games in Miami (Saturday) and Orlando (Sunday), with Durant potentially returning after reevaluation. They also play at Utah on Dec. 13, a game that could mark Durant’s return.
Durant is averaging 25.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game this season. The Suns are 11-2 when he plays but 12-8 overall.
Phoenix will also be without starting center Jusuf Nurkic, who is in the middle of a one-week evaluation period for a thigh contusion.
How will the Suns fill in for Kevin Durant as he rehabs his sprained ankle?
During Phoenix’s first stretch without Kevin Durant, head coach Mike Budenholzer adjusted his rotations significantly based on matchups.
Rookie Ryan Dunn may see an increase in minutes as a versatile perimeter defender at forward. Dunn, who has started nine of his 19 appearances, has seen his early shooting success cool off, now hitting 41% from the field and 31% from three-point range after a stellar preseason.
On Tuesday, Budenholzer leaned on small-ball lineups to counter San Antonio, leading to backup point guard Monte Morris logging eight minutes, all in the second half. Royce O’Neale emerged as the primary beneficiary, playing 30 minutes off the bench, often as an undersized power forward.
Rookie big man Oso Ighodaro started on Tuesday, playing 28 minutes alongside veteran center Mason Plumlee, who logged 19. Both are likely to see more minutes in Durant and Jusuf Nurkic’s absence, as they did when both were sidelined on Nov. 18 against the Orlando Magic, even sharing time together in the starting lineup.