“Over for Him”: Suns Fans Panic as Latest Kevin Durant Setback Raises Alarms Amid Bradley Beal’s Uncertainty

With Kevin Durant, the Suns are a sure-fire playoff candidate. Without him? That’s one big dirty mess in the valley. While KD is operating at an All-Star level, even at an MVP level for some, his injury issues since the turn of the decade are following him like a grim reaper. And the unholy has struck again as it’s bad news once again for Phoenix.

“Kevin Durant will be re-evaluated in one week due to a left ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN. Durant suffered the injury while landing on a Spurs player’s foot during Phoenix’s win on Tuesday night,” Shams Charania reported earlier today. He sustained the injury on Tuesday night during the second quarter against the Spurs and did not return for the second half.

KD has already missed 7 games so far this season due to his strained left calf and the latest injury blow is enough to strike a nerve for any Suns fan. On top of that, Bradley Beal has been in and out of sorts lately. The Missouri-born guard has played one less game than Durant and his numbers haven’t set the world alight during his availability. So, the alarms were raised in Phoenix and the result is evident on social media. The fans went into panic mode the instance the news surfaced.

Fans worry over Kevin Durant’s status and speculate on the Suns’ future

“Its so over for him”, one fan wrote on X. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The fan believes that Durant’s injury could be severe, potentially keeping him out for an extended period. One will only know for sure after a week, when the franchise reveals more details about the evaluation.

Someone highlighted the team’s record this season with and without the 36-year-old. “Suns with Kevin Durant: 10-2/ Suns without Kevin Durant: 1-6,” they wrote. While it was correctly pointed out that the Suns have lost only two games with KD leading the team, they have actually won 11 times in his presence. During Durant’s absence, the team also couldn’t rely on Beal as he was sidelined for five of those games because of his calf injury. They also mentioned Phoenix’s upcoming games for the week against the Pelicans, Heat, and Magic, all of which Durant will miss before the long break.

“Keep him healthy at all costs,” suggested another fan, claiming, “This is the Suns best chance at a run.” Durant with his averages of 25.8 points and 6.7 rebounds has been the backbone of the team. Losing him at a crucial stage, while they are recording a 12-8 record, is a risk the Suns would prefer to avoid.

Speculating on the possible outcome after Durant’s injury news broke, a fan remarked, “Beal will be out again, and Devin Booker will be back to getting triple-teamed with Grayson Allen as the #2 option. The Suns are finished…” They emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the All-Star swingman’s availability, which means the entire burden will fall on Booker. With Allen joining him in the backcourt, the Suns’ hopes for success will likely be dashed, according to the fan.

Meanwhile, one fan reflected on the Heat’s luck, as they faced the Mavericks without their star player, Luka Doncic, who was out with a strained wrist, and secured a win. Now, as they face the Phoenix side on Saturday night, the latter will be without their star, KD. “What luck, The HEAT miss out on Luka and now Durant,” the comment read. “Hoping everything good in a week. KD a baller and the Suns need him to have a chance.” They hoped for Durant’s speedy recovery within a week and echoed the sentiment of others, stating that the team wouldn’t have a chance to compete for the championship title in the absence of the big man.

Even Booker shared what it’s like when Durant is not with the squad. “It’s impossible to replace what he brings to our team,” the combo guard said in the postgame press conference. “Even just his presence around the team. Not even having him on the bench in the second half was tough.”

However, the Suns will have to cope without Durant for at least the next three games. Meanwhile, Beal and Booker will be expected to step up and lead the team. But do you think they will be able to handle the challenge, or will they suffer another poor record in Durant’s absence? Share your thoughts below.