Kevin Durant Won't Play vs Thunder After Injuring Ankle Pregame

The Phoenix Suns will not throw Kevin Durant in the lineup against the Oklahoma City Thunder with ankle soreness.

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns were expecting Kevin Durant to make his home debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight. 

Fans welcomed Durant with a thunderous roar that would have made a rockstar blush during his pregame warm-ups. Durant went through his routine just fine with constant chants of his name and cheers for every bucket made. 

However, Durant slipped and fell on a wet spot on the court and stayed down for just a second. He laced his shoes up and continued with the pregame workout with no issues. 

So it was quite the surprise to see Durant's name taken out of the lineup on short notice from the Suns prior to tip-off. Phoenix says Torrey Craig will take his place. 

INJURY UPDATE: Kevin Durant is OUT with left ankle soreness.

Torrey Craig will be in the starting lineup. https://t.co/nXcrkTLkxe

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 9, 2023

That's a shame for Suns fans hoping to have seen Durant make his debut tonight, though the team will have another home game on Saturday night against the Sacramento Kings. 

Kevin Durant took a fall while warming up for his first home game with the Suns 😳

He got up after. pic.twitter.com/J8SGlVQahj

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 9, 2023

Since first joining the Suns, Durant has been on an absolute tear. 

37 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK

20 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST, 1 BLK, 1 STL

23 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK

All three of his appearances have been on the road. We'll see how Devin Booker adjusts without Durant spacing the floor out, as his numbers last week led him to win the NBA's Western Conference Player of the Week. 

36 PTS, 5 REB, 10 AST, 1 STL

35 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 1 BLK, 1 STL

37 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST, 2 BLK

Phoenix is wise to protect their No. 1 asset with the postseason around the corner, but it's a shame all the hype built to Durant ultimately not playing.