Kevin Durant expected to make Suns debut on March 1, team says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The wait is almost over, Suns fans.
Superstar Kevin Durant is expected to make his Phoenix debut on March 1 when the Suns play the Hornets in Charlotte, the team said Tuesday.
There was speculation that Durant would make his Suns debut on Feb. 24 after the cost of ticket prices for the game spiked. The game was also broadcast to a national audience. Durant didn't play in the game, but the Suns won anyway, 125-114.
Durant hasn't played in a game since early January when he sprained a knee ligament. Durant and T.J. Warren were dealt to the Suns in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
In exchange for Durant, the Suns sent Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four first-round draft picks, and a 2028 pick swap to the Nets.
Durant, 34, is still one of the game’s elite scorers, averaging nearly 30 points per game this season.
Durant joins a Suns starting lineup that includes Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Phoenix is trying to make it back to the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons.
The Suns lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games in 2021.
The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 26: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 26, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)