The Phoenix Suns got an unexpected assist from the Mavericks before the trade deadline when they sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Anthony Davis got hurt in his first game for Dallas and missed a few weeks. Kyrie Irving tore his ACL on March 3, ending his season.
It looked like maybe -- just maybe -- the Suns would finish the season in the top 10. Well, here we are with five days remaining in the regular season, and Phoenix is two and a half games behind Dallas. The Suns haven't been officially eliminated from postseason contention, but it's not looking good, especially with Kevin Durant sidelined.
The 36-year-old star sprained his ankle on March 30 in a loss to the Suns. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Durant would miss at least a week. Phoenix has played three games since KD got hurt, and they were all losses. The Suns are back in Arizona and will host the Warriors on Tuesday in their fourth game without Durant.
Time is ticking for Kevin Durant and the Suns
Golden State is fighting to finish in the top six of the conference, avoiding the Play-In Tournament. The Warriors have won five of their last six games. Midseason trades don't always work out, but acquiring Jimmy Butler is the push that Golden State desperately needed. The Suns can only wish they had a similar ascension.
It's hard to see Phoenix beating Golden State on Tuesday, especially since the Warriors have a clear injury report. If you thought things couldn't get worse, the Suns will turn around on Wednesday and host the Thunder in the second half of a back-to-back. Phoenix will close out the regular season hosting San Antonio on April 11 before traveling to Sacramento for an April 13 matchup.
Barring a miracle, the Suns will miss the Play-In. Ankle sprains can be tricky, so maybe Durant wouldn't be able to return before the end of the regular season, even if Phoenix were Play-In bound. To be blunt -- there isn't much reason for him to return.
Charania reported last week that KD and the Suns are expected to work on a trade this summer, so there's an increasing chance that he's already played in his final game in a Phoenix uniform. Trading Durant will help the Suns avoid the second tax apron and have some financial flexibility.
The season started on a high note for Phoenix, but it's all gone downhill since then. Everyone thought Arizona would be KD's final NBA stop, but odds are he'll be on a new team this summer.