Kevin Durant will reportedly miss Friday’s Celtics-Suns matchup with sprained ankle
Durant will miss Phoenix's entire three-game road trip as he recovers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Kevin Durant is not expected to play in Friday’s Celtics-Suns game, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“Phoenix Suns All-Star Kevin Durant is expected to miss at least one week through team’s three-game road trip with a left ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote Monday afternoon. “Suns are 1.5 games out of Play-In with the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA.”
Durant left Sunday’s loss to Houston with a sprained ankle after colliding with Jabari Smith Jr. He appeared to step on Smith’s foot as he drove to the basket and grabbed his ankle in pain after he landed.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters that Durant would under go an MRI on Monday.
The Suns are on a three-game road trip this week with games in Milwaukee, Boston, and New York. Durant, who is averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this season, is expected to miss all three games.
“It’s just going to be about how his ankle responds to day-to-day treatment,” Charania said on ESPN’s NBA Today. “He’s going to stay back in Phoenix. This is the third time though, that he has injured that left ankle in two years as a Phoenix Sun … They’re in a world of trouble when it comes to the Play-In Tournament and their chances to really compete.”
The Celtics recently had a scare of their own with an ankle injury. Last Monday, Jayson Tatum sprained his ankle on a stepback 3-point attempt against the Kings last week. Tatum landed on Domantas Sabonis’s foot after the Sacramento center contested the shot.
Sabonis apologized for the play, and Tatum was able to return against the Spurs on Saturday after missing Wednesday’s win against the Suns.
The Celtics will host the Suns at TD Garden Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
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