On Friday, the Oklahoma City Thunder (28-29) will go to Phoenix, Arizona, to play the Phoenix Suns (32-28). The game will start in the Footprint Center at 10:00 PM EDT.
This will be the first time these two teams play each other during the regular season, and I think it will be a close game.
Injury Updates Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns
THE SUNS
The Suns lost to the Los Angeles Clippers, 116-107, in their last game. They had trouble scoring, so they’ll need to be more effective in this game if they want to take care of business at home.
- Updates injury status for Kevin Durant
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant (knee) plans to make his season debut on March 1 against the Charlotte Hornets.
KD will be out for both Friday’s matchup with the Thunder and Sunday’s matchup with the Bucks due to his MCL sprain, but he is close to making a comeback.
As Durant hasn’t played since January 12th, his minutes will likely be limited in his return game, but he should be available for the fantasy playoffs.
If he does return, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton will see their playing time and shot attempts reduced, while Josh Okogie and Torrey Craig will see theirs as well.
- Devin Booker – Active
On Friday, Devin Booker will play against the Thunder.
After missing the previous six games with a left groin strain, Devin Booker has seen action in fewer than 30 minutes in each of the three games since his return. After the All-Star break, Booker is likely to be unrestricted.
- More NBA: Nets – Bulls Injury Update: DeMar DeRozan and Ben Simmons: IN or OUT for this match tonight?
| PLAYER | UPDATED | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Landry Shamet | Thu, Feb 23 | Foot |
Expected to be out until at least Mar 3
|
| Kevin Durant | Wed, Feb 22 | Knee |
Expected to be out until at least Mar 1
|
| Cameron Payne | Fri, Feb 17 | Foot |
Game Time Decision
|
Shamet hasn’t played since Jan. 16 because of an injury to his right foot. He has been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Thunder and will be looked at again in a week, according to Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com.
Payne (foot) has been out since Jan. 6 because of a sprained right foot. He is expected to play again on Friday, but his status is “questionable.” If he can play in the Suns’ first game after the All-Star break, he’ll probably have to follow a lot of rules.
THE THUNDER
Before this game, the Thunder beat the Houston Rockets by a score of 133-96. They were great on both ends of the court. If they want to beat the Suns on the road, they will have to stay aggressive in this game.
| PLAYER | UPDATED | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Aleksej Pokusevski | Tue, Feb 14 | Lower Leg |
Expected to be out until at least Mar 1
|
| Chet Holmgren | Thu, Aug 25 | Foot |
Out for the season
|
The Thunder haven’t given a clear update on Pokusevski’s progress in getting better from the non-displaced left tibial plateau fracture he got on December 27. Pokusevski is likely to stay away until March.
