Suns’ odds to win NBA championship take hit following Kevin Durant injury
By Peter Dewey
The Phoenix Suns suffered an extremely bad break on Wednesday night, as star Kevin Durant sprained his ankle in warm ups prior to the team’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kevin Durant took a fall while warming up for his first home game with the Suns 😳
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 9, 2023
He got up after. pic.twitter.com/J8SGlVQahj
According to The Arizona Republic’s Greg Moore, Durant could miss the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs with the injury.
“The Arizona Republic has learned that there is concern within the organization that Durant has a grade 2 sprain, which would keep him out for between four and six weeks,” Moore wrote.
“Phoenix’s regular season finale is April 9, meaning it’s possible Durant could miss the remainder of the regular season and potentially the start of the playoffs.”
That has shifted the Suns’ odds to win the NBA Finals this season from +350 to +380:
Latest odds to win NBA Finals in 2022-23 season
Durant, who has played just three games with Phoenix since being acquired at the deadline, already missed time this season with an MCL injury.
Phoenix is still right behind Boston in the odds to win the NBA Finals, but the Suns could be looking at a first-round matchup without Durant this season.
As things stand now in the Western Conference, they’d have to take on the defending champion Golden State Warriors in round one.
Adding Terence Ross and T.J. Warren to the team’s roster should help the Suns mitigate the loss of Durant, but there’s no doubt that he leaves a massive hole on the roster.
It’s also going to be interesting to see how Phoenix’s chemistry with Durant develops since he’s played so few games with the team.
Right now, the Suns sit right outside the net rating threshold for every team that has won the NBA Finals since the 1996-97 season. They could still get there, but things will certainly be tougher without Durant.
Net rating update (Since the 1996-97 season, every champion inside the top 8 in net rating):
— Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) March 9, 2023
1. Cavs 📈
2. Celtics 📉
3. Nuggets
4. Sixers 📈
5. Bucks
6. Grizzlies 📉
7. Knicks
8. Kings
In the hunt:
9. Suns
12. Warriors
Potential frauds?
15. Mavs
21. Clippers 🤨
23. Heat https://t.co/fCehXZwRnr
Phoenix has not officially announced a timeline for Durant’s return, but the odds movement for the Suns suggests he will be sidelined for a significant amount of time.
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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.