38.8 Minutes Per Game: What Kevin Durant’s Injury Means for the Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant’s latest injury comes as a tough blow for the Phoenix Suns, who have leaned heavily on his star power during their promising 8-1 start this season. According to a report from insider Shams Charania, Durant sustained a left calf strain during the Suns’ recent nail-biting 114-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Despite this, Durant played through the injury, logging 37 minutes and putting up 26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal—underscoring his critical role in Phoenix’s tightly contested win. But with his injury now requiring a re-evaluation in two weeks, the Suns face the daunting question: How will Durant’s absence impact their prospects?

Durant has been electric in his scoring role this season, averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting an impressive 55.3% from the field, 42.9% from three, and 83.6% from the free-throw line. His efficiency has translated into a remarkable true shooting percentage of 67.0%, the highest since joining Phoenix. His scoring average and consistency are a significant part of why the Suns currently hold the Western Conference's top spot. Durant has scored at least 25 points in each of the past seven games, showing no signs of slowing down—until now.

The bigger concern, however, lies in his minutes. Durant’s 38.8 minutes per game rank second league-wide, with only Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey playing more, at 39.7 minutes. The workload has taken a toll on Maxey, who recently suffered a hamstring strain that’s expected to sideline him for several weeks. Durant is no stranger to high minutes, but this season’s numbers are the highest since 2011—when he was 23 years old. Now at 36, Durant is asked to shoulder a similar burden, raising questions about sustainability.

For comparison, Steph Curry, also 36, is playing just 26.8 minutes per game, about 12 minutes fewer than Durant. This extra quarter of playtime on Durant’s shoulders is something Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer likely hoped to avoid but hasn’t been able to due to the Suns' pressing need for Durant’s impact.

Durant’s injury is only a mild calf strain, sparing him from a lengthy recovery, but it underscores the Suns’ growing dependency on him for success. Phoenix’s key wins this season have all been tightly contested, often decided in the final minutes. The Suns’ overall numbers reflect the reliance on Durant’s late-game heroics. This season, he has averaged 9.2 minutes in the fourth quarter, adding 8.1 points on 57.1% shooting in the clutch, a production level that ranks him fourth in the league for fourth-quarter scoring. In seven games that came down to the final five minutes with a scoring margin of five points or less, Durant has shot 12-of-19, posting 35 points—the best clutch stat line in the NBA so far.

Although Phoenix has started with an impressive record, many games have been close calls, showcasing both the team’s potential and its underlying issues. The Suns’ +3.2 net rating per 100 possessions places them only 11th in the league, behind teams like the Kings and Rockets. The Suns’ offensive and defensive ratings both fall outside the league’s top 10, indicating they’re not yet performing at an elite level. For true contenders, efficiency and control are often essential, but Durant’s star performance has been the critical factor pushing Phoenix to an 8-1 record.

Suns’ Vulnerabilities Without Durant

Durant’s scoring and defense are the Suns’ backbone. With his absence, the pressure mounts on Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, two players who have shown flashes of brilliance but struggled to achieve Durant’s level of consistency and impact. Booker’s approach has shifted slightly after returning from the Olympics, and he’s averaging 23.1 points per game on a true shooting percentage of 57.6%—respectable numbers but well short of Durant’s output. Beal has been less effective, contributing only 15.4 points per game on a 57.0% true shooting percentage.

Another pressing concern is defense. Durant has become a surprising defensive anchor, disrupting opponents with an average of 12.4 contested shots per game and reducing opposing field goal percentages by 4.6% on those attempts. Inside 10 feet, Durant’s presence further impacts opposing efficiency, lowering their shooting percentage from 56.1% to 45.8%. The Suns lack a traditional defensive presence in the paint, often relying on Durant’s rim protection. Without him, they’ll have to address their defensive gaps, potentially through rotation changes or role adjustments among other players.

The Heavy Toll of Durant’s Minutes on the Suns’ Season Outlook

Durant’s intense workload reflects the Suns’ reliance on him but also highlights a significant dilemma: Phoenix’s limited depth. While a ‘big three’ featuring Durant, Booker, and Beal sounds formidable on paper, the Suns haven’t yet established the type of rotation that allows for lower minutes for their key players without risking game outcomes.

With Durant’s injury, Budenholzer will need to find creative solutions. One option is to lean on the younger, lesser-used players on the roster. While they lack experience, they could provide the necessary support to lighten the load on Booker and Beal. Another approach could involve experimenting with varied rotations, potentially adjusting Booker and Beal’s offensive roles to adapt to Durant’s absence. The critical question remains: Can Booker and Beal match Durant’s clutch performance and defensive impact?

Durant’s injury also raises questions for the Suns’ overall strategy. Given the heavy reliance on their veterans, there’s a growing risk of further injuries over the course of a long season. Even once Durant recovers, Suns management will need to consider reducing his minutes to ensure he’s fully healthy for the playoffs, when his presence will be even more vital.

The silver lining for Phoenix is that Durant’s injury is not a long-term setback. He’ll likely return without missing an extended stretch of games. But Durant’s absence does expose key challenges Phoenix must address if they are to remain a serious contender. The Suns’ current formula may work in the short term, but to go the distance, they’ll need more reliable scoring from Booker and Beal, a stronger defensive front, and a deeper bench capable of absorbing some of the pressure Durant has shouldered alone.

Phoenix is now presented with a test of depth, resilience, and adaptability.