Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant recorded 13 points, four rebounds and two assists in 16:29 of action against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday in Phoenix. Photo by Adam Davis/EPA-EFE
Kevin Durant sprained his left ankle and hit the floor during a drive against the San Antonio Spurs and will be evaluated to determine the extent of the injury, Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer announced.
Durant sustained the injury with 4:30 remaining in the first half of a 104-93 NBA Cup group stage win Tuesday at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. Advertisement
He briefly stayed on the court before heading to the bench and did not return in the second half.
“We will have to evaluate him again in the morning, see how he feels coming out of it, see how he does overnight,” Budenholzer said of Durant. “I don’t really know a whole lot more than the report at halftime.”
The Suns were attacking the Spurs in transition during Durant’s injury sequence. Suns guard Devin Booker crossed half court before tossing a pass to Durant on his left. The Suns forward then dribbled in front of Julian Champagnie, but stepped on the Spurs forward’s left foot as he jumped for a shot. Advertisement
Durant immediately grabbled the ankle before being helped to his feet. Champagnie was also called for a foul on the play. Durant made 1 of 2 free throw attempts. He also made a jump shot on the next Suns possession, but then left the game.
Durant made 5 of 8 shots, including two 3-point attempts, for 13 points in 16:29. He also recorded four rebounds and two assists. Booker poured in a game-high 29 points, with five assists and five rebounds. Spurs guard/forward Devin Vassell scored 25 points off the bench in the loss.
Durant averaged 25.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game through 13 starts this season for the Suns. The four-time scoring champion, 14-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists over 75 starts last season.
The Suns (12-8) will face the New Orleans Pelicans (4-18) at 8 p.m. EST Thursday in New Orleans. The Spurs (11-10) will host the Chicago Bulls (9-13) at 8 p.m. Thursday in San Antonio.
