Phoenix Suns Offer Injury Update on Kevin Durant

If Kevin Durant is going to radically shift the balance of power in the Western Conference, he'll have to get up to speed quickly. Per azcentral's Duane Rankin, the 10-time All-NBA megastar won't make his debut for the Phoenix Suns until after the All Star break.

OFFICIAL: Kevin Durant (right MCL sprain) OUT until after #NBAAllStar break. #Suns
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 13, 2023

The Suns acquired Durant in one of the biggest trades in NBA history last week, but they'll have to wait a little bit longer for the move to pay dividends. Durant has missed 16 straight games with a sprained MCL, and the Suns' first game after the All Star break isn't until February 24th against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Durant's arrival on the Suns immediately transformed them into the Western Conference favorite, but the 13-time All Star isn't the sure bet he once was. His right knee injury is a recurring issue, and he hasn't played more than 55 games since the 2018-19 season. When available, he remains one of the NBA's truly dominant forces: he's averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game with a career-best .673 true shooting percentage.

When Durant eventually returns, he'll join a Suns squad that includes Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton. They currently sit at 31-27, good for fourth place in the Western Conference. Anything but a rapid climb up the standings and immediate contention for a title would be a disappointment for the NBA's latest powerhouse.