Déjà Vu for Kevin Durant as Suns Suffer Major Bradley Beal Injury Blow Minutes before Warriors Game

It was a definite thing for the NBA regular season’s opening night to be a grand one. With the Nuggets getting their championship ring and the Lakers looking on with as much happiness as they can muster. And, our very own Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors game. What with Kevin Durant and Co. making their grand appearance.

Come now, nobody can say they weren’t waiting to see this titan clash. Especially with the Suns’ Big 3 getting down on the court. And the Warriors playing with their star duo Curry-Thompson, with the newly acquired Chris Paul and Green in tow. Unfortunately, Shams Charania of The Athletic has some bad news for us.

Bradley Beal’s injury announcement leaves Kevin Durant a little lost

The latest from Charania has got the Suns fans biting their fingernails in anticipation and worry. Prior to the season opener, there was a 50-50 chance that Beal might not play, but closer to the actual event, it was almost a sure thing. And now, just minutes into the game, we have got the update that Beal will not be playing.

Honestly, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, seeing that after the Big 3 practising on Monday, Beal’s back was out of sorts. There was only a very minuscule chance of seeing him along with Booker and Durant on the court. But the Suns’ fans will take any chance, however minute it may seem.

Unfortunately, it did not happen. The 28-year-old guard, Grayson Allen, took the place of Beal today. This might be a nostalgic moment for Durant. And not the good kind.

Durant finds himself in a one-man show that eerily resembles his time with the Nets

Many fans and analysts find themselves going back to the Nets’ super team trio during 2021. 2019 saw Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant with the Nets. Seeing the star-studded duo in Brooklyn quickly put them as title contenders. 2021 saw Harden joining the team. Voila! The lineup was complete.

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Or so everyone thought. On more than one occasion, we had to see the Big 3 dwindle to just one player doing the lion’s share of work. 2021 saw Harden and Irving take a backseat due to injuries when they went up against Milwaukee in the Eastern Semi conference finals. And then there was the infamous Irving’s stand about not getting vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Now we are down to Durant. Unfortunately, 2022 saw KD also going down with a knee injury. It also saw Harden push his way to a trade. So, yes, Durant is not new to an injury-prone team and being tasked with heavier responsibilities.

Yet he does have Booker by his side and Beal’s injury updates are on the positive side. So, we might just be able to see the trio feature in Thursday’s lineup. Hopefully, nobody pulls a muscle or tweaks their back in the meantime.