Kevin Durant is essentially an ageless wonder. 

Not only is Durant the most versatile scorer of his generation, but he also continues to perform at a high level and has done so despite suffering a devastating ruptured right achilles tendon a little more than five years ago.  

Durant was having another strong 2024-2025 season, averaging a little over 26 points per game on sublime efficiency from the field and the free throw line. In fact, he was averaging 26.1 points on 51.1/51.6/87.2 shooting splits in March. Unfortunately, it was also in late March when disaster struck. 

Durant is normally the type to play through an injury, but with the way his left ankle rolled, it looked like it would be wiser to rest and recover. That it happened at a critical stretch for the Phoenix Suns certainly added insult to injury. The Suns are currently within striking distance of the last spot in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament and would have loved to have the two-time NBA champion with them during this critical stretch.  

Without Durant, Phoenix is 2-11, a record that becomes 7-15 overall since the former Texas Longhorn was traded to the Suns on 9 February 2023. Losing Durant for at least a week, coupled with having the toughest schedule for the rest of the regular season should make this a Herculean task. 

Looking far ahead, this would be a terrible ending to Durant’s time with Phoenix. Suns owner Mat Ishbia has not been afraid to pull the trigger just to get Phoenix into postseason contention and it would be surprising if they stay on the sidelines this upcoming offseason. Ishbia’s patience could be running thin, and Durant could be an unfortunate victim of his restlessness. 

Rumors of Durant leaving the Suns may have died down after this year’s trade deadline, but the chatter never really went away. Team success was mixed at best, but the four-time Olympic gold medallist continued to play at a high level that had many wondering if he could very well join LeBron James in playing through his 40s. 

After all, Durant is a bonafide baller, who works on his game 24/7, 365. Unlike players who rely on brute force and athleticism, the 36-year old has the skill to score at will and at 7-feet, is already a walking mismatch. He’s played for four NBA teams and while some view him as a scoring mercenary, it also speaks to his ability to work well with various organizations. 

Kevin Durant’s career is a legendary tale that while controversial for some, deserves a better ending nonetheless. A left ankle injury would be a sad note to end the regular season with, or even with the Phoenix Suns for that matter. Given how Durant has responded to injuries in the past, though, we shouldn’t expect this to be his last act. Rather, it’s the prelude to another great chapter.