The injury was sustained late in the game against the Mavericks, per reports.
The injury bug is spreading through the NBA like wildfire, with news of Zion Williamson and Ja Morant being sidelined breaking earlier on Saturday. While the Phoenix Suns have managed to avoid it for most of the season, it seems the injury bug has finally caught up with them.
Kevin Durant has been off to a stellar start for the 8-1 Suns, putting up MVP-level numbers. He leads the NBA in clutch-time scoring with 35 points, ranks 10th in overall scoring at 27.6 points per game, and averages 6.6 rebounds while shooting an impressive 42.9% from three.
However, Durant is now sidelined indefinitely with a calf strain and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant – off to an MVP-caliber start to the NBA season – suffered a left calf strain on Friday night and will miss be re-evaluated in two weeks, sources tell ESPN. Durant has led Suns to a first place start in the Western Conference at 8-1. pic.twitter.com/tVpUfeMcZ7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 9, 2024
Durant was notably absent from the pre-Olympic festivities this past summer, making his debut with Team USA in Paris without participating in any scrimmages leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The reason for his absence? A calf strain.
The Suns have been living on the edge this season, with their last six games all decided by six points or less. In many ways, these close finishes can be traced back to one constant: Kevin Durant. His performances in the final moments have been nothing short of mesmerizing. Time and again, he’s risen to the occasion, scoring with unmatched composure and skill when the game is on the line.
Durant’s ability to deliver in clutch situations has not only earned Phoenix hard-fought victories but also served as the driving force behind their early success. His presence in those critical moments has made all the difference, turning tight contests into Suns’ triumphs.
And now, Phoenix will be without him.
Durant has been playing plenty of minutes as a result of the close games. He is averaging 38.8 minutes a night, his most since 2010-11, his fourth season as a pro. It appears the minutes have caught up with him.
The team will turn to Devin Booker, who won Western Conference Player of the Week honors in Week 2, and lean on Bradley Beal to make up for the 27.6 points a game that Durant is vacating.
We’ll see how the Suns look tomorrow night as they host the Sacramento Kings in downtown Phoenix.