Kevin Durant ‘could miss the rest of the season and even start of the playoffs’ with ankle sprain

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant reportedly could miss the remainder of the regular season and even the start of the playoffs after injuring his ankle during warm-ups Wednesday night. 

Durant was ruled out of his team’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday after injuring his left ankle slipping on the court during pregame warmups.

Although the Suns went on to easily defeat the Thunder 132-101 without the forward, there is concern within the organization that Durant has a grade 2 sprain, which would keep him out for between four and six weeks, according to The Arizona Republic. 

Durant was diagnosed with ‘left ankle soreness’ according to an announcement made by the Suns Wednesday night but is also said to have left Footprint Center in a large walking boot, leaving fans sweating over his fitness. 

Phoenix’s last game of the regular season is slated for April 9, and given the estimated timeframe for his recovery, it is possible that Durant could not only miss the remainder of season but also potentially the start of the playoffs. 

Kevin Durant slipped on the court and his ankle twisted while warming up for the Suns

The forward could miss the remainder of the regular season and even the start of the playoffs

Durant has played three games for the Suns since he was traded from the Brooklyn Nets just before the NBA trade deadline.

Throughout his three games he has averaged 29.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. 

He returned on March 1 from a knee injury suffered in early January while still with the Nets that caused him to miss 20 games.

Wednesday night was supposed to be his home debut for the Suns but as he was driving to the basket in a routine pregame workout he appeared to roll his ankle and went to the floor. 

He got up and finished his workout but was later ruled out of the game and veteran swingman Torrey Craig was inserted into the lineup in his place. 

‘I feel bad for him because he feels bad,’ Suns coach Monty Williams said. ‘I saw his face and — I’ve been around him so many times — I know what he’s feeling, and I don’t want him feeling that way at all.’ 

Phoenix has won all three of their games since adding Durant to the roster as the combination of him and superstar Devin Booker has proved to be too difficult for opposing defenses to stop.

Booker has scored 35 or more points in all three games since Durant’s addition to the lineup. His average for the season has been 27.2 points, showing just how much he has benefited from Durant’s presence.

Durant’s trade from the Nets came shortly after point guard Kyrie Irving was shipped from Brooklyn to the Dallas Mavericks, after Irving requested a trade following a lack of progress in contract negotiations.

Veteran swingman Torrey Craig started in Durant’s place against the Oklahoma City Thunder

Fellow Suns star Devin Booker has benefitted tremendously from sharing the court with Durant