Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns will take on the Denver Nuggets for two consecutive games. The Suns are coming off a 133-125 loss against the Detroit Pistons in Arizona. While most of their top line was at point, injuries woe their path for coming games.
The Suns are likely to start Durant since he is not listed on the injury report. The team has primarily focused on other injured players, particularly Devin Booker, who has been ruled out due to a left groin strain. With a record of 6-12 since their strong start to the season, they are experiencing a challenging stretch. And Booker’s absence has made Durant’s role more vital.
But the Suns’ overall injury report is concerning. Both Booker and Grayson Allen are out, as Allen is following concussion protocols, and Bol Bol is sidelined with a knee issue.
Quick trip to Denver 🛫 pic.twitter.com/MYrXUVKUty
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 23, 2024
Currently, Phoenix is not in a state where one can afford another injury. They are in a tough position as they face a Nuggets team that is currently 14-11 and looking to maintain its momentum. However, the Suns have lost their last three Christmas Day games and hold a dismal 1-7 record over their last eight games during this holiday. The team is in desperate need of a morale-boosting win, and Durant’s contributions would be essential for that to happen.
Kevin Durant Made Honest Admission After Loss Against Pistons
Despite the Suns’ unfortunate loss against the Pistons on Saturday night, they were optimally scoring. Kevin Durant had an incredible game, scoring 43 points and contributing with five rebounds and six assists. However, his eight turnovers were a big concern, which he addressed directly in his post-game comments.
“I think we lost the game because of my turnovers. I gotta be better, I keep saying that, just gotta be better, and I will… We gotta be better, but I can’t compound the problem having eight turnovers,” said Durant.
With Booker out, the Suns really felt the pressure. And all the turnovers, 19 total for the team, made it hard for them to secure the win. Despite shooting an impressive 57.7% from the field and nearly 50% from three-point range, the Suns couldn’t overcome the mistakes they made with the ball. With this loss, they dropped to 14-13, now sitting in 11th place in the Western Conference. It’s been a tough stretch for the team, as they’ve won just four of their last ten games and are stuck in a two-game losing streak.
As they look ahead to their next matchup against the Denver Nuggets, Durant’s leadership and performance will be key. He’s been a star, averaging 27.4 points per game, and the team really needs to clean up their ball-handling if they want to turn their season around.