Phoenix Suns ahead Kevin Durant recorded 13 factors, 4 rebounds and two assists in 16:29 of play towards the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday in Phoenix. Photograph by Adam Davis/EPA-EFE
Dec. 4 (UPI) — Kevin Durant sprained his left ankle and hit the bottom throughout coaching towards the San Antonio Spurs and will likely be assessed to find out the extent of the damage, Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer announcement.
Durant was injured with 4:30 left within the first half of a 104-93 NBA Cup group stage victory Tuesday on the Footprint Middle in Phoenix.
He stayed on the courtroom briefly earlier than heading to the bench and didn’t return within the second half.
“We’ll have to guage him once more tomorrow morning, see how he feels, see how he performs in a single day,” Budenholzer mentioned of Durant. “I don’t actually know greater than the halftime report.”
The Suns had been attacking the Spurs in transition throughout Durant’s damage streak. Suns guard Devin Booker crossed half courtroom earlier than throwing a go to Durant on his left. The Suns ahead then dribbled previous Julian Champagnie, however stepped on the Spurs ahead’s left foot as he jumped to shoot.
Durant instantly grabbed the ankle earlier than being helped up. Champagnie was additionally warned for a foul on the play. Durant made 1 of two free throw makes an attempt. He additionally made a soar shot on the Suns’ subsequent possession, however then left the sport.
Durant made 5 of 8 photographs, together with two 3-point makes an attempt, for 13 factors in 16:29. He additionally recorded 4 rebounds and two assists. Booker scored a game-high 29 factors to go together with 5 assists and 5 rebounds. Spurs guard/ahead Devin Vassell scored 25 factors off the bench within the loss.
Durant averaged 25.8 factors, 6.7 rebounds and three.1 assists per recreation in 13 begins this season for the Suns. The four-time scoring champion, 14-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA averaged 27.1 factors, 6.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 75 begins final season.
The Suns (12-8) will face the New Orleans Pelicans (4-18) at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday in New Orleans. The Spurs (11-10) will host the Chicago Bulls (9-13) Thursday at 8 p.m. in San Antonio.
