Phoenix Suns Superstar Kevin Durant Sidelined for At Least Two Weeks With a Left Calf Strain

The Phoenix Suns have made a stunning start to the 2024/25 regular season, and a big part of that stellar start has been Kevin Durant. However, the veteran superstar suffered a left calf strain during Phoenix’s dramatic 114-113 win over rivals, Dallas Mavericks. Now, Durant is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks.

Before the injury, the 36-year-old had led the Phoenix Suns to a franchise-record 8-1 start, which also includes a seven-game win streak. However, Durant has been exceptional under pressure, thriving in the high-stakes moments when games are tight. He’s been a force to be reckoned with, knocking down shots at an impressive 63.2% clip in clutch situations and leading the league with 29 points in those moments—no one has been more reliable when it counts. Overall, Durant’s season stats are as impressive as ever. He’s posting 27.6 points per game, pulling down 6.6 rebounds, and dishing out 3.4 assists. His long-range accuracy has also hit a new high, as he's shooting 42.9% from beyond the arc, marking his best three-point shooting since the 2020-21 season. 

However, with Kevin Durant now sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer will have to come up with new offensive schemes. The 14-time All-Star was bothered by a left calf strain during the Paris Olympics this summer before helping lead the team to a gold medal. Now, Durant will be re-evaluated in two weeks. In their very first game without KD, the Suns suffered only their second loss of the season as the Sacramento Kings ran away with a 118-127 win on Phoenix’s home turf. Devin Booker (23 points, 12 assists), Bradley Beal (28 points) and Tyus Jones (22points) all stepped up in Durant’s absence, but they were no match for a well-coached Kings side. Despite that defeat, the Suns still occupy the second seed in the Western Conference. 

With KD sidelined, the scoring load and responsibility to keep Phoenix’s momentum alive will rest on the shoulders of Booker and Beal, who’ve both had strong starts this season. Booker is averaging 23.1 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, while Beal has contributed 17 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. Alongside the two guards, rookie Ryan Dunn and veteran Royce O'Neale will be key in shoring up the frontcourt during Durant's absence. Dunn, in particular, has captured fans' attention with his relentless defense and hustle, which has provided a solid foundation for Phoenix's early success. If all goes according to plan with Durant's recovery, he could be back in time for a high-stakes NBA Cup matchup against the Lakers on 26th November.