The Phoenix Suns went out and made the biggest splash at the NBA trade deadline this season by trading for 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant, but Durant has not played much for the Suns due to injuries.
Durant was in the midst of recovering from an MCL sprain in his right knee and when he was finally healthy, he played in just three games before suffering an ankle injury in pregame warmups ahead of his home debut in Phoenix.
On March 9, the Suns announced that Kevin Durant sustained a left ankle sprain and would be re-evaluated in three weeks.
Ankle sprains are one of the most recurrent lower limb injuries and up to 40% of ankle sprains go on to develop chronic symptoms. Ankle sprains can be classified by the severity of injury (refer to below)
GRADE 1:
Stretch or partial tear of a ligament
Symptoms: Mild pain/swelling. No instability. No loss of function
Treatment: Rest, Ice, Physical therapy
Return to Activity: Approximately 2 weeks
GRADE 2:
Incomplete tear of ligament
Symptoms: Moderate pain/swelling. Bruising. Pain with weight bearing
Treatment: Rest, Ice, bracing/taping, Physical therapy
Return to Activity: Approximately 3-4 weeks
GRADE 3:
Complete tear of ligament
Symptoms: Severe swelling/bruising. Instability and loss of function
Treatment: Rest, Ice, Bracing/taping, Physical therapy, Surgery
Return to Activity: Approximately 6-10 weeks
While the Suns have not given any specific date for Durant’s return to play, he could potentially return to the floor, they did mention when he would be re-evaluated, as three weeks from March 9 would be March 30, meaning the Suns would still have six games remaining in the regular season.
