PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 16: (L-R) Owner Mat Ishbia, Kevin Durant and general manager James Jones of the Phoenix Suns pose for a photo at a press conference at Footprint Center on February 16, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant being traded to the Suns has yet to shake up the NBA due to his injury. But now Phoenix and its new star have a targeted return date.Â
Kevin Durant is a member of the Phoenix Suns after the blockbuster trade deadline deal that sent the former Nets superstar to the desert. The only problem is that the All-Star break isn’t the only reason that we haven’t seen him suit up for his new team yet.
At the time of the trade, Durant had been sidelined since Jan. 8 after suffering an MCL sprain. That injury has seen the 34-year-old have a long recovery. But his return to the court has been looming as the Suns hope to make a push for a higher seed in the playoffs after the break and then make a run to the Finals.
That all hinges on when Durant comes back, though. And now we know when that will be — or at least when the Suns and their new superstar are hoping that will be.
Kevin Durant Suns debut targeted for March 1 vs. Hornets
On Wednesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Phoenix and Durant are targeting a Wednesday, March 1 game on the road in Charlotte against a struggling Hornets team for their new superstar’s debut with the team.
Prior to the injury, Durant was performing at an MVP-caliber level. In Brooklyn over 39 games, he averaged 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 blocks per game with 55.9/37.6/93.4 shooting splits on the season. Even at 34 years old, he still looked like an unstoppable force.
That unstoppable force will now be added to Chris Paul, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton in Phoenix, a core that almost brought the Suns a title just two years ago. And now that Durant is coming back, the franchise has to be thinking that the Larry O’Brien Trophy is well within reach this year as well.
