Kevin Durant a doubt for remainder of NBA regular season following warm-up injury
There's growing concern that the three-time Olympic gold medallist could miss the remainder of the 2022-23 NBA regular season after rolling his ankle on Wednesday (8 March).
Basketball
Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant could miss the remainder of the NBA regular season after injuring his ankle during warm-ups just minutes before the Suns were due to tip off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday (8 March).
The 34-year-old three-time Olympic basketball champion, recently acquired by the Suns in a blockbuster deal with the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the NBA trade deadline on 9 February, was ruled out ahead of his expected home debut due to ‘left ankle soreness.'
Now it appears he could be sidelined for much longer.
According to The Arizona Republic, there is concern Durant suffered a grade 2 ankle sprain during the fall, which typically takes four to six weeks to heal.
He was also seen leaving the arena in a walking boot.
Phoenix is currently the No.4 seed in the Western Conference playoff race and has been buoyed by their recent star signing.
Since the Team USA veteran joined the franchise, the Suns have strung together three straight wins with victoires over the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks. Despite Durant's absence, the Suns were able to beat the Thunder 132-101 thanks to a 44-point effort from Devin Booker.
Phoenix’s last game of the regular season is slated for 9 April, and given the estimated time for recovery, Durant could be out of action until then or possibly longer. Per ESPN, he will now undergo an MRI to seek clarity on the extent of the injury.