Kevin Durant, who leads the the league in clutch-time points (29), will be re-evaluated in 2 weeks after suffering a left calf strain.
The Phoenix Suns have relied on Kevin Durant to great success when they need him most. They’ll have to look to someone else for the foreseeable future.
Durant will miss at least the next two weeks while recovering from a left calf strain suffered in Friday’s dramatic 114-113 victory over Dallas, the Suns announced Saturday. Durant will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
The 36-year-old Durant has led Phoenix to a franchise-record 8-1 start, including a seven-game win streak entering the weekend. Most of that success has come through the heat of closely contested finishes. Durant has flourished in those settings, shooting 63.2% and leading the league in total clutch scoring (29 points).
Overall Durant is averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 42.9% from 3-point range, his best mark since 2020-21.
The 14-time All-Star was bothered by a left calf strain during the Paris Olympics this summer before helping lead the team to a gold medal.
Phoenix will look to four-time All-Star Devin Booker and three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to shoulder more of the scoring load until Durant returns. The Suns will also hope Royce O’Neale, rookie Ryan Dunn and other options can soak up Durant’s vacated frontcourt minutes.
The Suns (8-1) entered the weekend in first place in the Western Conference.
