PHOENIX SUNS

Report: Suns’ Kevin Durant progressing toward return vs. Timberwolves

Mar 24, 2023, 1:35 PM | Updated: 2:00 pm

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns signs autographs before the game against the Chicago Bulls at ...

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns signs autographs before the game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on March 03, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant is progressing toward a Wednesday return against the Minnesota Timberwolves, barring a setback, after missing the last seven games with a sprained ankle, reports The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Durant, who went down with the injury during pregame warmups ahead of a 132-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, hasn’t played since March 5.

After Durant underwent further testing and an MRI a day after the injury, the team put a three-week reevaluation timeline on the forward.

A return on Wednesday puts Durant a day ahead of the three weeks with seven games left to go in the regular season.

That’s a good sign for a Suns squad that has lost five of their last six matchups.

As of Friday afternoon, the Suns (38-34) sit fourth in the Western Conference standings. They are five games back from the No. 3-seeded Sacramento Kings and are tied record-wise with the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers. Phoenix owns the tiebreaker over Los Angeles.

When Durant has been healthy, the forward has been as advertised.

In his first three games with the Suns, Durant averaged 26.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 69% shooting.

The Suns are back in action Friday night against the Kings with a tipoff slated for 7 p.m. Tune to Arizona Sports, the app or online.

Phoenix Suns

Frank Vogel, Phoenix Suns head coach 2...

Dan Bickley

Frank Vogel’s everyman appeal matters to Suns’ championship run

There is an everyman appeal to Frank Vogel. Like the manager in an Applebee’s commercial. Or the neighbor who asks to borrow a bicycle pump.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns Deandre Ayton, Chris Paul...

Kevin Zimmerman

Focus turns to Deandre Ayton, Chris Paul upon Frank Vogel’s Suns intro

The Phoenix Suns have their next head coach. Now, decisions await when it comes down to Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.

1 day ago

Frank Vogel...

Tyler Drake

Ishbia: New Suns head coach Frank Vogel ‘checked all the boxes’ for Phoenix

Mat Ishbia didn't need long following his interview with Frank Vogel to determine he was the best option to lead the Suns into the future.

1 day ago

Frank Vogel...

Kellan Olson

Frank Vogel brings similarities, differences to elevate Suns further

The message from the Phoenix Suns was clear on what they felt had to change and what new head coach Frank Vogel brings.

1 day ago

Frank Vogel, Phoenix Suns head coach...

Arizona Sports

Watch: Suns announce hiring, introduce new head coach Frank Vogel

The Phoenix Suns formally named Frank Vogel as their replacement for Monty Williams as head coach on Tuesday.

1 day ago

David Fizdale, Phoenix Suns...

Arizona Sports

Report: Suns hiring assistant David Fizdale on Frank Vogel’s staff

The Phoenix Suns will reportedly add former Grizzlies and Knicks head coach David Fizdale to new head coach Frank Vogel's staff.

2 days ago

Report: Suns’ Kevin Durant progressing toward return vs. Timberwolves