The Suns lose Kevin Durant to the Spurs due to a sprained ankle

PHOENIX – Kevin Durant went to the locker room just before halftime of Tuesday’s NBA Cup game against the San Antonio Spurs with a sprained left ankle and was sidelined.

During the exchange, Durant rushed the floor, drove to the basket and attempted to cut between Spurs defenders Julian Champagnie and Devin Vassell. Durant stepped on Champagnie’s left foot as he stood up to take the shot.

Durant fell to the ground, landing flat on his back before immediately grabbing onto his left ankle. Ryan Dunn helped Durant back to his feet when the officials whistled Champagnie for a foul on the play with 4:30 minutes left before halftime.

Durant stayed on the floor to connect on both free throws. Durant also knocked down a 14-foot jumper 22 seconds later before Royce O’Neal replaced him with 3:51 left in the first half. Durant went to the bench and didn’t return for the rest of the first half.

At that point, Durant had scored a game-high 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting, including 2 of 2 from long range, as the Suns led 52-39 heading into halftime.

Grayson Allen replaced Durant in the lineup to start the second half. The striker made a brief appearance on the pitch before heading back to the dressing room.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Suns announced that Durant would not be returning.

A 14-time NBA All-Star, Durant had already missed seven games due to a right calf injury, with the Suns posting a 1-6 record during his absence. Durant had appeared in Phoenix’s last four games since his return on November 26th.

The Suns entered Tuesday’s contest with a record of 10-2 in games involving Durant.