The Phoenix Suns are grappling with a significant challenge as they continue the NBA season without superstar forward Kevin Durant, who has been sidelined with a sprained left ankle. The injury, which occurred during the Suns' recent 104-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, is expected to keep Durant out of action for at least a week. This setback adds to the growing list of health concerns for the Suns, a team that has already been navigating various player absences throughout the season.
Durant's Impact and Current Absence
Durant's contribution to the team has been immense, with his presence on the court translating to tangible success. In the 13 games Durant has played this season, the Suns boast an impressive 11-2 record. His performance metrics are equally noteworthy, averaging 25.8 points per game with a 65.2% true shooting percentage, alongside 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. His absence will undoubtedly impact the team’s performance, even as they face upcoming challenges against the New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic.
Suns star Devin Booker acknowledged Durant's indispensable role, stating, "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 words capture the sentiment within the locker room, emphasizing not only Durant's on-court prowess but also his influence and leadership.
Existing Struggles and Player Rotations
Head Coach Mike Budenholzer is no stranger to these kinds of challenges, having dealt with various player injuries throughout his coaching career. Budenholzer expressed a pragmatic approach: "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." He further iterated the need for adaptability, stating, "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."
This philosophy will be particularly important as the team adjusts to the current absence of not just Durant but also Jusuf Nurkic, who has been dealing with a right thigh contusion and missed the last two games. The team’s current record stands at 12-8, reflecting the ups and downs they’ve experienced so far.
The November Slide and Looking Forward
November was a challenging month for the Suns, as they had to cope with Durant's seven-game absence due to a strained left calf. During this stretch, the team struggled significantly, posting a 1-6 record. Compounding the issue was Bradley Beal's absence for five of those games. The limited playing time for the trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal—just 175 minutes together this season—has hindered the team’s ability to establish a consistent rhythm and chemistry on the court.
Despite these adversities, there is cautious optimism within the Suns organization. The hope is that Durant will make a timely return for the crucial matchup against the Utah Jazz. Meanwhile, the absence of key players offers opportunities for other team members to step up. "Other people have opportunities to get more minutes," Budenholzer noted, hinting at the silver lining amid the challenges.
As the Suns navigate this juncture of their season, the focus will be on resilience, teamwork, and making the most of available resources. The team’s involvement in the NBA Cup group play—where they went 3-1 before being eliminated—showed glimpses of their potential despite the setbacks. Moving forward, maintaining competitiveness and team morale will be essential as the Suns aim to solidify their standings in the league ahead of Durant's anticipated return.