News

Kevin Durant scores 23 in return, Phoenix Suns crush L.A. Lakers

Published

3 weeks ago

November 29, 2024

Kevin Durant scores 23 in return, Phoenix Suns crush L.A. Lakers

Phoenix Suns celebrity Kevin Durant has gone by way of the rehab course of sufficient to know when he’s near coming back from damage.

“Simply making an attempt to simulate the sport as a lot as attainable,” Durant mentioned after his pregame exercise Tuesday. “There’s lots on our our bodies on the market. Whenever you’re taking part in towards one of the best athletes on the earth. So attempt to simulate that as a lot as attainable.”

Durant has made it again from a calf pressure that sidelined him seven video games. The Suns went 1-6 throughout that stretch.

Bradley Beal and Durant each made their return for Tuesday’s showdown towards the Los Angeles Lakers (10-7) at Footprint Middle in NBA Cup West Group B play.

The staff’s main scorer at 27.6 factors a sport, Durant hit his first shot, 3-pointer, to start a 23-point evening within the Suns’ 127-100 win to snap a five-game shedding skid.

“I believe having a apply, having a extremely good scrimmage day, with each KD and Brad (Beal), was most likely crucial factor,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned. “Simply getting them built-in.”

The Suns went on a five-game shedding skid with out Durant and Beal, who performed of their final win Nov. 12 on the Utah Jazz of their group play opener. Beal additionally scored 23 factors Tuesday in his return.

“Each of these guys are nice gamers,” Budenholzer mentioned. “Kevin, his gravity away from the ball, you see it once you watch movie. He can’t be concerned in one thing and he’s going to be intently guarded on a regular basis. That creates apparent house for the opposite 4 guys.”

The Suns had 5 days between final week’s loss to the New York Knicks and Tuesday’s matchup towards the Lakers. Budenholzer admitted he wasn’t a fan of that kind of break when first seeing the schedule through the summer time, however now sees it as a “blessing” because it gave Durant and Beal time to return with out lacking extra video games.

Durant absolutely appreciated the break.

“That turned out fairly nicely,” he mentioned. “Grateful for that.”

Durant mentioned he felt “just a little pull” in his left calf on a rebound within the third quarter of Phoenix’s 114-113 victory Nov. 8 at Dallas. He grabbed throughout a timeout within the fourth quarter.

“It wasn’t going to maintain me out of the sport,” Durant mentioned. “I stored taking part in, but it surely was just a little pull. I knew one thing was there.”

Durant mentioned he missed being “one of many guys” when it comes to touring as he didn’t go on the four-game highway journey. Durant indicated his calf pressure main as much as the 2024 Paris Olympics was extra extreme as a result of he was out a month.

Groups have blitzed, doubled and loaded up on Devin Booker through the stretch the Suns had been with out Durant and Beal. Durant mentioned he doesn’t see that taking place, however he talked about being aggressive to attain if groups proceed that technique with him on the ground.

How a lot Durant performs stands out as the larger query.

Budenholzer mentioned pregame they’ll watch what number of minutes Durant and Beal play Tuesday versus the Lakers. Durant leads the staff in minutes per sport at 38.8.

“Simply being sensible, logical, wise with it,” Budenholzer mentioned. “Their long-term well being for our group, we have to maintain that in thoughts after we take into consideration how a lot they’ll play tonight.”

In 12 months 18, Durant mentioned he’ll play fewer minutes if the Suns put groups away, however anticipates he’ll be on the ground if the sport is tight on the finish.

“I wish to play 48 minutes,” Durant mentioned. “I’ve been saying that for the final 10 years. I wish to play 48. I’m coachable and I will do no matter coach wants me to do, however I simply need him to know at the back of his thoughts I am right down to play 48 minutes.”

Have opinions concerning the present state of the Suns? Attain Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Observe him on X, previously Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.