Posted on: March 9, 2023, 07:45h.
Final up to date on: March 9, 2023, 07:45h.
Phoenix Suns energy ahead Kevin Durant sustained an unlucky harm throughout warmups on Wednesday evening, and he may miss the rest of the common season with a left sprained ankle.
The Suns acquired Durant in a blockbuster commerce previous to the commerce deadline in early February. Durant appeared in solely three video games with the Suns, however all three have been on the street. He was nonetheless recovering from a sprained knee when the Nets traded him to the Suns.
Durant was set to make his residence debut in Phoenix on Wednesday evening. He by no means made it as a result of he rolled his left ankle after he slipped on the court docket on the Footprint Middle.
Even with out Durant within the lineup, the Suns defeated the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in a 32-point blowout. The Suns gained 4 video games in a row and improved to 37-27 on the season.
I understand how a lot KD likes to Play and wished to Play,” stated teammate Chris Paul. “However stuff occurs.”
When he exited the sector after the sport, Durant was noticed sporting a strolling boot.
On Thursday morning, Durant underwent an MRI which didn’t reveal any vital harm. He was identified with a sprained ankle. The Suns stated Durant would miss three weeks with the most recent harm.
“He’s in good spirits,” added Devin Booker. ” The rehab course of begins now.”
The Suns are 3-0 with Durant within the lineup. To this point with the Suns, Durant averages 26.7 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per recreation.
Right here’s video of Kevin Durant slipping on the ground pregame.
He stayed down for a couple of seconds however then received up and completed his on-court work. pic.twitter.com/DwTrNc6LIr
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) March 9, 2023
Can the Suns Maintain On to the #4 Seed?
The Denver Nuggets (46-20) are near locking up the #1 playoff seed within the Western Convention. They opened a seven-game lead over the Sacramento Kings (38-26) and Memphis Grizzlies (38-26), who’re battling for the #2 seed. The Suns (37-29) are in fourth place, but 9 video games behind the Nuggets.
The Suns moved inside two video games of the Kings and Grizzlies, and so they have been inside placing distance of the #2 seed. It’s uncertain the Suns can proceed that formidable pursuit and transfer up two spots within the standings with out Durant.
The center of the Western Convention standings is clogged with 9 groups which are inside three video games of one another. With Durant sidelined for a number of weeks, the Suns might be in jeopardy of shedding the #4 seed as a result of the nine-team cluster is barely three video games behind them.
The Suns have 16 video games left within the common season, however they face the second-hardest remaining schedule. Their opponents have a .533 successful share with two extra video games towards the Nuggets, and two extra video games towards the Kings.
The Suns may hold Durant out for the remainder of the common season with a purpose to protect his well being for the playoffs. The Suns have three extra weeks to make that call, which will depend on how Durant responds to relaxation and therapy.
Durant Damage Ripples By means of the Futures Market
The Suns noticed an enormous bump in championship odds after they acquired Durant on the commerce deadline. Their futures to Win the 2022-23 NBA championship jumped in a single day from +1800 odds to +450 at DraftKings. They went from the ninth favourite on the board to second general.
Previous to Durant’s harm, the Suns’ championship odds shrunk to as little as +370. The Boston Celtics have been the one staff with higher title odds at +330.
On Thursday, DraftKings up to date the futures board after the Suns made the announcement about Durant’s well being standing. The Celtics are nonetheless the betting favourite, however they improved to +300 odds to Win the championship. The Suns slipped to 3rd general at +450 odds, and the Milwaukee Bucks jumped to second general at +400 odds.
The Suns are nonetheless the favourite to Win the Western Convention, however their odds dipped from +200 to +230. In the meantime, the Nuggets noticed a slight enchancment from +310 to +280 to Win the west and advance to the NBA Finals for the primary time of their franchise’s historical past.
Th Sacramento Kings are the shock staff within the NBA this season after rmissing the playoffs for 16 years in a row. The Kings at the moment sit in first place within the Pacific Division with a two-game lead over the Suns in second place.
The Pacific Division odds weren’t affected by the Durant harm. The Kings are the favourite to Win the Pacific Division at -125 odds, and the Suns are second on the board at +120 odds.
