When Will Kevin Durant Return For Phoenix Suns?

Phoenix Suns star forward Kevin Durant is expected to make his return to the floor following an ankle sprain on Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Since being traded to the Phoenix Suns at the trade deadline, 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant has only played in three games. Not only was he injured with a sprained MCL when he was traded, but Durant has missed the Suns' last ten games after suffering an ankle sprain in pregame warmups on March 8.

Said to be re-evaluated in three weeks, Durant's return seems to be on the horizon, but when will the Suns get him back out on the floor?

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Kevin Durant is expected to return to the lineup for Phoenix on Wednesday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

After missing 10 games with a sprained ankle, Phoenix Suns All-NBA star Kevin Durant will make his return Wednesday vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves barring setback, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/vePOrtWS7W

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 28, 2023

In his three games with the Suns this season, Durant has been everything Phoenix has wanted him to be, averaging 26.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 69.0 percent from the floor and 53.8 percent from three-point range. 

Devin Booker has also thrived alongside Kevin Durant on the floor, averaging 36.0 points, 7.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 56.0 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from three-point range in those three games. 

Getting Durant back on the floor ahead of the conclusion of the regular season is key for the Suns, as they currently hold a half-game lead over the Los Angeles Clippers for the 4-seed in the West and with a loss to the Timberwolves on Wednesday, they could potentially fall within a half-game of being in the Play-In Tournament region of the standings. 

In their ten games without Kevin Durant on the floor, the Phoenix Suns went just 4-6, resulting in them being a part of the tight race in the Western Conference standings. 

With Durant available and on the floor, the Suns remain title favorites in the Western Conference, as Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton round out a very impressive core group. 

Only two of the remaining seven games on the Suns' schedule are on the road and they have just one back-to-back remaining this season. There is no word on if Durant will be available for all of their games down the stretch. 

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