Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant suffered a left calf strain in Friday’s win against the Dallas Mavericks and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced Saturday.
Durant posted 26 points and five rebounds in 37 minutes played in the Suns’ 114-113 win over Dallas.
Durant has the Suns off to an 8-1 start while posting superb numbers to begin the season. He is averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game on 55 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from 3 through nine games.
Durant’s presence will be missed
Through the season’s first three weeks, Durant has played at an MVP level. He’s been Phoenix’s security blanket, perhaps the league’s best player in clutch situations. Last Monday, he hit the winning basket in a 118-116 win over Philadelphia. Two days later, he sealed Phoenix’s 115–112 win over Miami with a 21-foot jumper.
Durant’s done all this before, but this season has looked different. After Phoenix acquired him in a blockbuster deal with Brooklyn at the 2023 trade deadline, he spent the rest of the season trying to fit in. Last season, Durant, along with the rest of the Suns, struggled to find consistency or offensive rhythm under then-coach Frank Vogel. This year, under coach Mike Budenholzer, Durant has looked comfortable. He has seemed more in tune with what the Suns are asking him to do, and when they’re allowing him to take over.
In the fourth quarter, Durant has initiated offense, reading the defense and reacting, getting the right matchup and shooting over defenders. Entering Saturday, he’s averaged 8.1 points (on 57.1 percent shooting) in the fourth quarter, fifth best in the league. Budenholzer says it’s a great luxury to have, but the Suns need to find other ways to close out wins. — Doug Haller, NBA senior writer
Who steps up?
That time is here. The Suns don’t lack for closers. Devin Booker played that role in Phoenix long before Durant arrived. He’s an elite scorer, but he has struggled with his perimeter jumper, making 5 of 31 from 3-point range over his last four games. This also gives Bradley Beal, who has played well after a rocky first year in the desert last season, an opportunity to play a bigger role.
Royce O’Neale, who has been outstanding off the bench, could replace Durant in the starting lineup. Through nine games, O’Neale (10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg) has played the best basketball of his career. In addition to shooting 52.6 percent from 3-point range, he has developed an effective floater. He also has played strong defense.
In addition to Durant, the Suns also could be without Ryan Dunn. The rookie forward sprained his left ankle in the Miami win and missed Friday’s win in Dallas. Dunn participated in Saturday’s practice and stuck around for extra individual work.
“He’s progressing in a good way,” Budenolzer said.
Helping matters for Phoenix: Forward Josh Okogie returned Friday night after missing the season’s first eight games with a hamstring issue. He had six points in five minutes in the Dallas win. — Haller
(Photo: Harry How / Getty Images)
