The Phoenix Suns were getting back on track when Kevin Durant was injured again.
The New Orleans Pelicans are starting to bring back injured players despite the setback of star player Zion Williamson, but they are not yet on track.
Both teams continue to try to avoid injuries as they prepare to face each other Thursday night in New Orleans.
The Suns won three of four games after losing five straight. They are visiting the Pelicans, who have lost nine straight and have the worst record in the Western Conference.
On Tuesday night, Phoenix defeated visiting San Antonio 104-93, but lost Durant to a sprained left ankle in the second quarter. He is expected to be sidelined for at least a week.
The Suns started the season 8-1 before Durant strained his left calf, but went 1-6 while Durant was out.
Guard Devin Booker said losing Durant was “obviously tough.” “It’s impossible to replace what he brings to the team and just his presence around the team made it difficult to even put him on the bench in the second half.
“But we fought. They came out and punched us in the face at the start of the first half. We just hung in and weathered the storm. It was a growth moment for us.”
Booker scored 29 points against the Spurs, surpassing 15,000 points in his career. Phoenix went 3-1 in the NBA Cup, but didn’t get the help they needed to advance from group play.
“Every team has to deal with (injuries) at some point during the season,” Booker said. “I think this is a special time to give other guys a chance, because you don’t know what’s going to happen in the second half of the season or even in the playoffs, so you have to understand that.”
The Pelicans have won just two of their last 20 games while many key players have been injured. Their projected starting five hasn’t played together this season, but New Orleans is starting to get some players back.
Guards Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum have started the past three games together, but this is the only time this has happened since opening night.
“It’s going to take a little bit of time for everyone to get used to it,” coach Willie Green said. “They’re still learning each other’s game.”
Murray, who underwent surgery to repair a broken wrist that made him unable to shoot, has shot just 27.3 percent from the floor and 24 percent from 3-point range since returning four games ago. , averaging 5.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.8 steals.
“He’s a great player, and I think he’s going to continue to find his rhythm,” Green said of Murray.
Forward Herbert Jones, the team’s top perimeter defender, and leading scorer Brandon Ingram could return as soon as Thursday, but Williamson’s return won’t come soon enough. Williamson will be sidelined for at least two more weeks with a left hamstring injury.
“We’ve gotten used to each other,” McCallum said. “It takes time. We have to accelerate the learning curve, continue to improve and continue to give ourselves a chance to win games.
“The worst part of the season is behind us. Players are slowly starting to return and we will soon be able to give them a chance with a complete and healthy roster.”
–Field level media
