As the Phoenix Suns try to make one last push toward the NBA Play-In Tournament, it might have to do so without their former MVP.
Forward Kevin Durant suffered an injury Sunday night during Phoenix’s home game against the Houston Rockets. Midway through the third quarter, Durant was driving toward the basket when he his left foot stepped on Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr.’s foot. His ankle rolled and he immediately fell to the ground as he winced in pain. Durant got up but couldn’t put any weight on his leg. He was then taken to the locker room and didn’t come back in the 148-109 loss to Houston.
Mike Budenholzer gives update on Kevin Durant injury
Durant suffered a left ankle sprain. Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters after the game Durant would undergo an MRI on Monday and he will not travel with the team as it starts its three-game road trip.
Phoenix plays the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday before it plays the Boston Celtics on Friday and the New York Knicks two days later.
The injury comes at a critical time for Phoenix as it fights for its playoff lives. Sunday’s loss to Houston was the third straight for the Suns. They fell to 35-40 on the season and are in 11th place in the Western Conference. Phoenix is 1.5 games behind the Sacramento Kings for the final play-in spot.
The two-time Finals MVP averages a team-high 26.8 points with 6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in 61 contests this season.
Phoenix has seven games left on the regular season and could be without its star for the rest of the season.
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