The Phoenix Suns’ marketing campaign has morphed from championship aspirations right into a nightmarish battle that few noticed coming.
What started with visions of a Huge Three dominating the Western Convention has as an alternative develop into a determined scramble simply to make the Play-In Event.
At 35-40, the star-studded squad finds themselves on the surface trying in, trailing the ultimate Play-In spot by 1.5 video games with time quickly working out.
Now, the Suns’ fragile playoff hopes have taken one other important blow, proper once they can least afford it.
“Phoenix Suns All-Star Kevin Durant is anticipated to overlook not less than one week by way of workforce’s three-game street journey with a left ankle sprain, sources inform ESPN,” Shams Charania reported.
Phoenix Suns All-Star Kevin Durant is anticipated to overlook not less than one week by way of workforce’s three-game street journey with a left ankle sprain, sources inform ESPN. Suns are 1.5 video games out of Play-In with the hardest remaining schedule within the NBA.
Extra for NBA At present on ESPN at 3 pm ET. pic.twitter.com/grdYpJEPJ5
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 31, 2025
The timing couldn’t be worse for Phoenix.
Durant has been comparatively sturdy this season regardless of temporary absences – three video games in early December and one other three in early February as a result of ankle points.
Exterior these brief stints, he had participated in 62 video games, offering the Suns with much-needed stability amid their turbulent season.
Making the Play-In Event was already an uphill battle with Durant within the lineup.
With out their famous person ahead, the problem turns into monumentally harder.
The upcoming schedule affords no aid, that includes a brutal street journey in opposition to three Japanese Convention powerhouses: the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks.
Upon returning dwelling, they’ll face the Golden State Warriors in a nationally televised showdown.
The street solely will get rougher from there.
Of their closing seven video games, only one comes in opposition to a workforce exterior the playoff image.
Each contest has basically develop into must-win territory for a workforce that’s struggled with consistency all season.
Past this season’s disappointment lurks one other regarding storyline: Durant’s future in Phoenix.
Experiences surfaced that the Suns thought-about buying and selling him on the deadline, elevating questions in regards to the group’s long-term plans.
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