Kevin Durant, the All-Star forward for the Phoenix Suns, is expected to be sidelined for at least one week due to a left ankle sprain, according to sources reported by ESPN. Durant suffered the injury during the Suns' heavy defeat to the Houston Rockets on Sunday. This marks the third time in two years that Durant has sprained his left ankle since joining Phoenix.
The injury occurred after Durant collided with Rockets forward Jabari Smith beneath the Phoenix basket, awkwardly stepping on his ankle. Smith was called for a foul on the play. Although Durant was able to stand, he could not put weight on his left leg and had to exit the game early.
As the Suns sit 1.5 games outside of a Play-In Tournament spot with seven games remaining in the regular season, Durant's absence is a significant blow to the team.
Phoenix has struggled without him, holding a 2-11 record in games he did not play this season, compared to a 33-29 record when he is in the lineup. Durant, 36, has continued to perform at a high level, averaging 26.6 points per game and shooting 52.7% from the field this season.
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