The Phoenix Suns were dealt by far the most significant injury blow of this still young season over the weekend, with the news that Kevin Durant has a calf strain that will keep him out a minimum of two weeks. In all likelihood it will be longer, as Durant is only going to be reassessed at that point.
This means the 8-1 Suns will be without one of the most clutch performers in the league so far this season, while also being down a 36-year-old unicorn who is giving them over 27 points per game and scoring in all manner of difficult scenarios. Put simply, this group cannot replace that offensive production.
The ideal replacement may not even be able to step up right now either.
Of all the player's on the Suns' roster, the guy who looks like the best fit to step into Durant's spot in the starting lineup is Ryan Dunn. The rookie having some massively impressive showings already this season, including a pair of starts when Bradley Beal missed some time with an elbow injury of his own.
He might only be giving this team just over six points per game, but he's doing it while shooting just under 40 percent from deep on over four attempts per game. The numbers also back up what the eye test has shown us too, and that is that the Suns have better ratings on both ends of the court when Dunn is out there.
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant – off to an MVP-caliber start to the NBA season – suffered a left calf strain on Friday night and will miss be re-evaluated in two weeks, sources tell ESPN. Durant has led Suns to a first place start in the Western Conference at 8-1. pic.twitter.com/tVpUfeMcZ7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 9, 2024
It is why fans have been pushing for Dunn to replace Beal in the starting lineup, although taking Durant's place also makes sense. They have more similar body types, while the defensive abilities of Dunn at that position would appear to mesh well with the trio of Beal, Devin Booker and point guard Tyus Jones.
Only we might not get to see as much of this as we'd like, as Dunn is currently out himself with a left ankle sprain. It caused him to miss the dramatic one point victory over the Dallas Mavericks, and as of now it is not known when he will be back. Also unknown is the severity of the injury, although the organization would be wise not to rush Dunn back too soon.
This is a massive missed opportunity for him though because - with center Jusuf Nurkic also dealing with ankle soreness - Dunn was essentially guaranteed to start. Doing so would have given his slim Rookie of the Year chances a boost, while those reps with Durant out could be crucial for the team come the postseason.
There's already no doubt that Dunn is a serious part of this rotation, but nobody could have predicted he'd get to slot in for Beal twice inside the first 10 games of the season. The chance to do the same with Durant now exists - the Suns would be much the better team for it - but his own ankle sprain has come at the worst time. Perhaps it will be somebody else who takes this opportunity and minutes.