Kevin Durant has been out since Jan. 9 with a sprained MCL, but a few things have shifted in his world while he’s been sidelined — his home address and the team he plays for are now both in Phoenix.
Durant is targeting March 1 for his debut with the Suns, reports Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns are targeting his Suns debut and return to action in next Wednesday's road game against the Charlotte Hornets, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Durant is on cusp of return from MCL sprain that he suffered on Jan. 8.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 22, 2023
Durant was injured last month when Jimmy Butler fell into Durant’s leg.
The Nets say that Kevin Durant is OUT for the remainder of Nets-Heat due to a right knee injury after Jimmy Butler fell on his knee on this play.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 9, 2023
Prayers up to KD 🙏 pic.twitter.com/v0PPP9Hfe1
By adding Durant, the Suns shifted the balance of power in the West — they are contenders now. A contender with questions about defense and the willingness of everyone involved to sacrifice and make it work, but a contender nonetheless because of Durant. He has played at an MVP level this season, averaging 30 points a game with a 67.5 true shooting percentage, plus adding 6.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists a night. Put that next to Devin Booker, Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton and you have a contender.