Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Durant is expected to miss at least a week after suffering a left ankle sprain during Sunday’s blowout loss to the Houston Rockets.
The injury occurred in the third quarter when Durant stepped on Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr.’s foot while driving to the basket, rolling his ankle in painful fashion.
Durant did not return to the game, and the Suns were trounced 148-109, dropping to 35-40 on the season. They now sit 1.5 games out of the final play-in spot with just seven games remaining—and face what is statistically the toughest remaining schedule in the league.
While the initial recovery timeline is one week, Durant’s age—now 36—raises concern that his absence could extend longer. With Phoenix playing five games in nine days to start April, the team’s postseason hopes are hanging by a thread. If they continue to slide, the Suns may be forced to consider shutting Durant down for the rest of the year.
Durant is still under contract for another guaranteed season at $54.7 million, but speculation is swirling that Phoenix could look to trade him this summer. With several teams reportedly interested, there’s a growing chance Sunday’s game was his last in a Suns jersey.