Windhorst Says It's 'Possible' Kevin Durant Won't Play for Suns Again After Injury

Kevin Durant's final game with the Phoenix Suns may have already happened.

Appearing on Tuesday's episode of First Take, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said it's "really possible" Durant won't play for the Suns again after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday's 148-109 loss to the Houston Rockets.

Durant suffered the injury in the third quarter when he rolled his ankle after stepping on Jabari Smith Jr.’s foot while driving to the basket.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday that Durant will miss at least one week after being diagnosed with a sprained ankle. The timeline means the earliest he would return is against the Golden State Warriors on April 8.

The Suns will only have four regular season games left when they return from a three-game road trip that starts on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Their next five games are all against teams that are currently in the playoffs.

Phoenix is one game behind the Sacramento Kings for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. This five-game stretch could determine its fate, depending on how things play out.

If the Suns miss the play-in tournament, the immediate focus will turn to Durant's future. His relationship with the organization reportedly went south after they engaged the Golden State Warriors in talks prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

Durant might be softening his feelings toward the organization. The Ringer's Logan Murdock reported on Tuesday the two-time NBA Finals MVP is open to returning to the Suns next season.

Even if Durant wants to return, the Suns have a decision to make. They are projected to be paying more than $525.8 million in payroll and luxury tax in 2025-26.

If the Suns don't even make the play-in tournament this season, governor Mat Ishbia opting to run it back with this same core of Durant, Booker and Bradley Beal at that price with no playoff wins for the franchise since May 2023 would seem foolish.

Whatever flaws the Suns have isn't the fault of Durant. He is averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in 62 appearances this season as the sixth-oldest player in the NBA.