Kevin Durant will get to listen to homecourt cheers together with his new employer for the primary time when his Phoenix Suns host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday evening.
Durant was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets on February 9 whereas he was sidelined resulting from a knee harm. He returned to motion on March 1 and has performed in three street video games, however the Wednesday contest will symbolize his Phoenix unveiling.
“I’m glad I was able to get a couple on the road to get my feet wet because I know it’s going to be loud in there,” Durant mentioned of his pending residence debut. “I’m looking forward to our fans. I know they can’t wait to see us out on the floor.”
Durant has been very good to this point for the Suns, averaging 26.7 factors and capturing 69 per cent (29 of 42) in three victories. The 13-time All-Star seemed near high type on Sunday when he poured in 37 factors on 12-of-17 capturing in a 130-126 street win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Also shortly put to relaxation was chatter that Durant and star guard Devin Booker may not co-exist peacefully. Booker, the Suns’ longtime go-to scorer, averaged 36 factors of 56 per cent capturing (42 of 75) in Durant’s first three video games.
Durant mentioned he’s adjusting after being traded in the course of the season for the primary time in his 15-year profession.
Hoopla is excessive for the competition towards considered one of Durant’s former golf equipment, however Phoenix coach Monty Williams isn’t in the least within the fever-pitch pleasure.
“We’ve got a game to win, man,” Williams mentioned. “I’m not into all the dramatics and all that stuff. We’re just approaching the game the same way we always have. That stuff doesn’t even get into my thinking. We’re out to win the game. I’m sure he’ll tell you the same thing. That’s our focus right now.”
Phoenix struggled whereas Booker was out earlier within the season with a groin harm. However, the Suns are actually scorching with 15 wins of their previous 20 video games and reside in fourth place within the Western Conference.
Oklahoma City has gained three consecutive video games getting into a stretch through which three straight contests and eight of 10 might be on the street.
The Thunder averaged 132 factors within the three wins — the primary two towards the Utah Jazz and the newest a 137-128 victory over the visiting Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
“It has been a collective effort,” Thunder level guard Josh Giddey mentioned of the three-game stretch. “You look across the board and there are multiple guys making things happen. I think when our offence is flowing that way, we have the ability as a team to put a lot of points on the board.”
Giddey recorded a career-best 17 assists towards the Warriors to go together with 17 factors and 11 rebounds. It was his third triple-double of the season and the seventh of his profession.
“He got to his spots and played with great force,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “I think he did a great job of getting to the lane and spraying (the ball) out. He got a lot of assists on drives, which is something he’s been working on. He did a great job.”
All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 factors towards Golden State and has averaged 35.5 factors in two contests since coming back from a five-game absence. However, Gilgeous-Alexander (load administration) and Jalen Williams (wrist) won’t play towards the Suns.
Oklahoma City is considered one of 5 groups separated by one recreation within the battle for the West’s remaining two play-in spots. The Thunder are a half-game behind the ninth-place Los Angeles Lakers.
The Suns have gained six of the previous seven conferences, together with a 124-115 residence win on Feb. 24. Booker scored 25 factors for Phoenix in that contest, whereas Isaiah Joe scored a career-high 28 for Oklahoma City.
