The Phoenix Suns will have to cope without Kevin Durant for the next fortnight after the star forward suffered a left calf strain during their dramatic 114-113 win over Dallas on Friday (November 8th).
The Suns confirmed on Saturday (November 9th) that Durant will be sidelined for at least two weeks and will be re-evaluated thereafter.
Durant, 36, has been pivotal to Phoenix’s blistering start to the season. The Suns boast a franchise-record 8-1 record, including a seven-game winning streak, largely thanks to Durant’s brilliance.
He has excelled in tight encounters, leading the NBA in clutch scoring with 29 points, while shooting a remarkable 63.2% in those decisive moments.
Overall, Durant is averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, with a 42.9% success rate from beyond the arc—his best since the 2020-21 season.
The 14-time All-Star’s calf trouble isn’t new, having also bothered him during the Paris Olympics, where he still played a crucial role in securing gold for Team USA.
In Durant’s absence, the Suns will turn to Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to pick up the scoring slack. Meanwhile, Royce O’Neale, rookie Ryan Dunn, and others will need to step up in the frontcourt.
The Suns, currently sitting atop the Western Conference, will hope to maintain their momentum as they await Durant’s return.