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Michael C. Wright, ESPN Staff WriterDec 3, 2024, 11:12 PM ET
- Joined ESPN in 2010
- Previously covered Bears for ESPN.com
- Played college football at West Texas A&M
PHOENIX — Kevin Durant headed to the locker room just before halftime of Tuesday’s NBA Cup matchup against the San Antonio Spurs with a left ankle sprain and was ruled out.
Sprinting the floor in transition, Durant drove to the basket and attempted to cut between Spurs defenders Julian Champagnie and Devin Vassell. Durant stepped on Champagnie’s left foot as he rose to take the shot.
Durant fell to the floor, landing flat on his back before immediately grabbing at his left ankle. Ryan Dunn helped Durant back to his feet, as officials had whistled Champagnie for a foul on the play with 4:30 remaining before intermission.
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Durant remained on the floor to connect on both free throws. Durant also knocked down a 14-foot jumper 22 seconds later, before Royce O’Neal replaced him with 3:51 left in the first half. Durant headed to the bench and didn’t return for the rest of the first half.
By then, Durant had scored a game-high 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 2 of 2 from deep as the Suns headed to halftime leading 52-39.
Grayson Allen replaced Durant in the lineup to start the second half. The forward made a brief appearance on the court before walking back to the locker room.
The Suns announced that Durant would not return midway through the fourth quarter.
A 14-time NBA All-Star, Durant had already missed seven games due to a right calf injury with the Suns posting a record of 1-6 during his absence. Durant had played in Phoenix’s last four games since returning on Nov. 26.
The Suns entered the contest Tuesday with a record of 10-2 in games Durant participated.
