Luke Kennard out for Suns’ season opener against Portland

Phoenix Suns guard Luke Kennard has officially been listed as out for the team’s season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

Kennard was listed as questionable with left knee tendinopathy going into the day, but had his status updated by the team about an hour before tip off.

Kennard initially injured his knee in the Suns’ preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 14. He landed awkwardly on a drive to the basket, then immediately hobbled off to the Suns locker room during the second quarter.

Head coach Jordan Ott said Tuesday that Kennard was a full participant in practice and was trending toward playing against the Trail Blazers. Arizona Sports‘ John Gambadoro reported that the Suns do not expect the injury to cause an extended absence.

Kennard is new to Phoenix this season, arriving via free agency on a two-year, $13 million deal. A 3-point specialist, his sharpshooting is expected to be a crucial quality for a team that lost Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale during the offseason.

Kennard led the NBA in 3-point percentage last season (47.8%) and in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.

Suns-Trail Blazers will tip off from the Moda Center in Portland at 7 p.m. MST.

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