PHOENIX — The (next) return of Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is upon us.
Durant has missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury, though Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro says he expects Durant back this weekend.
“Suns going to be careful with the Kevin Durant hamstring injury (they can be tricky) so he is listed as out for tomorrow versus the Clippers, but I would expect him back Friday or Sunday,” he wrote on Twitter/X.
According to Suns coach Frank Vogel, Durant tweaked his hamstring in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win against the Orlando Magic. He missed Monday’s victory against the Portland Trail Blazers and Wednesday’s loss against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Vogel spoke to reporters today and said he did non-contact work and is still considered to be day-to-day.
Health has been a major obstacle for Phoenix, who have seen only a handful of games completed with their star trio of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal as all have missed time to begin the 2023-24 season.
“He’ll never say it, but I think he needs a couple of games, too. He’s had a lot on his plate this season with me and Brad being out,” Booker said earlier this week at practice.
“It’s our job to take a lot of pressure off him.”
The Suns host the Miami Heat on Friday before concluding a six-game home stint on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Durant – No. 2 in fan votes for frontcourt players in the West only behind LeBron James – is averaging 29.9 points per game to pair with 6.3 rebounds and six assists per night.
