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Injury prevents Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant from finally playing in front of Golden State fans

Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
·4 min read
2

SAN FRANCISCO – Phoenix Suns guards Damion Lee and Landry Shamet were on opposite sides for Kevin Durant’s return game to the Bay after leaving Golden State for Brooklyn that should have an asterisk.

There weren’t any fans in attendance at Chase Center as the game was played during the COVID-19 pandemic in the NBA-shortened 2020-21 season.

“It was a blur,” said Shamet, who was with the Nets for that game. “That part of all our lives was weird. No fans, but him being back here was interesting, but definitely not the same as it would’ve been with fans.”

Had the newest Suns superstar been healthy for Monday’s game against the defending NBA champion Warriors (35-33), it would’ve been the first time Durant played at Golden State with fans in attendance since he went to the Nets in a sign-and-trade in the Summer of 2019.

Durant won back-to-back finals MVPs in leading the Warriors to consecutive NBA titles (2017-18).

Suns GM: Kevin Durant would play through left ankle sprain if playoffs started today

“It’s crazy he hasn’t been able to play here yet with fans and really receive that warm embrace and that love that he truthfully deserves coming back to the Bay,” said Lee, who was with the Warriors that 2020-21 season. “It’ll happen one day.”

Durant is out with a left ankle sprain suffered in a pregame workout last Wednesday before what would’ve been his home debut in Phoenix (37-30).

He’ll be re-evaluated in three weeks, Suns officials announced last Thursday.

Durant didn’t make the trip to San Francisco for Monday’s game in the final regular-season meeting between the Suns and Warriors.

“It’s the type of thing that if we’re in the playoffs, if the playoffs were to start today, he’d be out there,” Suns president of basketball operations and general manager James Jones said during an interview Saturday with The Republic. “He’d be struggling a little bit.”

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up court past Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on March 5, 2023.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up court past Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on March 5, 2023.

The Suns are 3-0 with Durant on the floor as they dealt Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first round draft picks and a pick swap to the Nets for T.J. Warren and Durant right before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

The 13-time All-Star is averaging 26.7 points with the Suns.

Golden State played a video tribute for Durant during that return game Feb. 13, 2021. At the time, the Warriors said they planned to do it again for his next visit to Chase Center when fans returned to the arena.

“This is something that is such a no-brainer,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after that game. “When Kevin came here and gave us three years of just incredible basketball, the least we could do is welcome him back with open arms."

Durant posted 20 points, six assists and five rebounds as the Nets topped the Warriors, 134-117.

Moore:Kevin Durant's injury is proof Phoenix Suns must be cursed

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant waves after the Nets defeated the Golden State Warriors in an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant waves after the Nets defeated the Golden State Warriors in an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

"A guy that gave everything to us for three years then left with a devastating injury,” Kerr continued. “There should be a lot of love, he did so much for us.”

Lee and Shamet each scored eight points in Durant’s return game to the Bay.

Durant suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the 2019 finals loss to Toronto in his third and last season with the Warriors and missed the entire 2019-20 season with the Nets.

When Brooklyn played at Golden State last season, Durant was out with a knee injury and didn’t make the trip. The Warriors won, 110-106, on Jan. 29, 2022.

Durant missed Brooklyn's last game at Golden State this season on Jan. 22, 2023, with a right MCL sprain he suffered Jan. 8 at Miami. The Nets came out on top, 120-116.

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant celebrates after their win against the Charlotte Hornets with guard Devin Booker in an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant celebrates after their win against the Charlotte Hornets with guard Devin Booker in an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C.

Eastern Conference and Western Conference teams play each other just twice in the regular season in a home-away series.

The Warriors and Suns face each other four times as they’re both in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division. Looking ahead, they may meet in the postseason this year.

Phoenix is fourth in the West and Golden State stands sixth in the conference. The two teams are separated by just 2½ games going into Monday’s matchup.

Lee isn’t sure Durant will see that video tribute during a postseason series between the Suns and Warriors.

“If it does happen in the playoffs, I don’t think they’re going to be doing any tribute video,” Lee said. “I tell you that.”

More:Five takeaways from Phoenix Suns falling to Sacramento Kings minus Kevin Durant

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant misses opportunity to play at Golden State