The Phoenix Suns are navigating the early part of their NBA season without the unparalleled services of Kevin Durant, who is currently sidelined with a sprained left ankle. Durant's injury occurred during a crucial 104-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, leaving the team to confront the challenge of playing without one of their star players for at least a week.
Durant's Impact and Absence
Kevin Durant has been a formidable presence for the Suns this season, evident in the team's impressive 11-2 record in games he participated in. With averages of 25.8 points per game, alongside a 65.2% true shooting percentage, 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks, his contributions extend far beyond mere numbers. Speaking to Durant's importance on and off the court, teammate Devin Booker reflected, "Yeah, obviously tough. It's impossible to replace what he brings to our team. Even just his presence around the team. Not even having him on the bench in the second half was tough. But we still fought." Booker's sentiments emphasize the leadership and morale boost Durant provides, which go missing in his absence.
Durant's current injury is reminiscent of a similar challenge the Suns faced in November when he missed seven games due to a strained left calf. During that period, the Suns mustered only a 1-6 record, partly compounded by Bradley Beal's absence in five of those games. This history underscores the team's dependency on its key players being healthy and reminds them of the unforgiving nature of the NBA schedule.
Upcoming Challenges
With Durant out, the Suns are set to face teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic. These matchups will test the team's depth and resilience. Head coach Mike Budenholzer understands the reality of navigating injuries through the season, stating, "You know it's part of our league. We're not any different. I'm sure there's not a team in the league that's not dealing with some people in and out of the lineups."
Budenholzer's words reflect a pragmatic approach, acknowledging that adaptations are necessary. "Hopefully we teach and start to learn a way of playing that's good for everybody regardless of who's healthy and who's not, and guys can find ways to contribute," he added, highlighting the need for the team to build adaptability into their playing philosophy. The head coach also sees this as a moment of opportunity for other players on the roster, as he remarked, "Other people have opportunities to get more minutes."
Complicating the team's rotation further is Jusuf Nurkic's ongoing recovery from a right thigh contusion, which has caused him to miss the last two games. His status remains uncertain, adding layers to the decisions Budenholzer must make regarding lineups and game strategies.
Looking Ahead
The Suns are holding out hope that Durant will be ready to return for a marquee matchup against the Utah Jazz. This period without Durant not only represents a test of the team’s resilience but also serves as a critical time for developing chemistry among other players, including the trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal. So far this season, they have logged just 175 minutes together, a statistic pointing to an area of potential growth for the team once all are healthy.
Amidst these challenges, the Suns maintain a solid 12-8 record and have shown their competitive spirit by going 3-1 in the NBA Cup group play, though they were eventually eliminated from the tournament. As they navigate this part of their schedule without one of their key stars, the team is leaning on its depth and coaching acumen to stay competitive.
The ability to remain competitive without Durant, while not easy, could serve as a proving ground for the Suns' aspirations this season. With the collective goal of welcoming Durant back into a stronger, more united squad, the Suns are channeling their efforts into maximizing every opportunity, making each minute count in this challenging yet potentially fortifying phase.