By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Kevin Durant has been ruled out of the NBA All-Star Game and also confirmed out by the Phoenix Suns for the remaining games before the All-Star break.
The two-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Finals MVP in 2017 and 2018 with Golden State Warriors worked out with his new teammates Monday and looked good in the media viewing portion of practice.
Durant, 34, last played for the Brooklyn Nets in early January. He has since been sidelined with a right knee injury. However, he practiced without significant restrictions displaying progress. Barring another setback, he will be active as the Suns make a push for the best possible seeding following the upcoming break to the bottom end of the 2022-23 NBA Regular Season.
The team coached by Monty Williams will play host to the Sacramento Kings Tuesday and Los Angeles Clippers Thursday. Besides Durant, the Suns will also miss Cameron Payne and Landy Shamet both dealing with injuries in the right foot.
The Suns acquired Durant in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. T.J. Warren also landed in Arizona. On the opposite route, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four future first-round picks, and a pick swap went to the Nets.
The former Texas standout selected second overall in the 2007 NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics, has tallied 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 0.8 steals per contest over 39 appearances as a member of the Nets at the top of the 2022-23 season.
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