The Phoenix Suns have had a dream start to the season and will have to continue it without Kevin Durant.
The star forward sustained a left calf strain on Friday and will be out at least until he is re-evaluated in two weeks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Durant sustained the injury in the Suns’ 114-113 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
A calf injury is particularly concerning for Durant because he missed much of the run-up to the Paris Olympics this year due to the same issue, though he went on to have a healthy preseason and a strong start to the regular season. He has been a vital part of the Suns’ 8-1 start, with an NBA-best 35 clutch points and 42.9% shooting from behind the 3-point line.
The Suns were essentially showing the form many expected when they added Bradley Beal to a roster that also included Durant and Devin Booker. The trio’s first season together was a frustrating experience at times, finishing sixth in the West at 49-33 and falling in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With a full year together and a new head coach in Mike Budenholzer, the team was looking better this season. Now, they have to see how well they can keep it together over at least the next two weeks, a span of time that includes a rematch with Minnesota on Nov. 17.