Kevin Durant played 75 games in this 2023-24 season for the Phoenix Suns, the most games he has played in a single campaign since he suffered that Achilles tear in the 2019 NBA Finals. Durant attributed his good health this season to staying away from floppers and crash dummies.
“No players flopped into my legs this year,” Durant said. “Last two years, I had my teammate flop into me and an opponent flop into me two straight years that caused me to get MCL injuries. If it wasn’t for that, I probably would’ve been out there the same amount of games, but I’m glad nobody flopped into me. Had a couple of nagging injuries, but it was day-to-day type of stuff. I’m grateful for that.”
“Just stay away from the crash dummies, you know," Durant stated when asked about avoiding being in those types of situations. "The dudes who try to sell calls and don’t mind hurting people by diving on the floor trying to sell a call. I know who those guys are, and I try to stay away from them.”
Durant wasn't pulling any punches there. In case you are wondering who were the players he was referring to, it was Bruce Brown and Jimmy Butler. Durant and Brown were teammates on the Brooklyn Nets and in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 15, 2022, the latter fell into the former's knee.
Durant was left with a sprained left MCL after that incident and he missed 21 games as a result. He was relatively healthy in that 2021-22 season apart from that and might well have played around 70 games had Brown not accidentally fallen into his knee.
As for the incident involving Butler, that came a year later on Jan. 8, 2023, in a game between the Nets and the Miami Heat. Butler fell on Durant's right leg after attempting a layup and he was left with another sprained MCL.
Durant missed 20 games due to the injury and it was during his time on the sidelines that he was traded to the Suns. Prior to this incident, he had only missed one game that season. Following his return, Durant would also end up missing another 10 games due to a freak injury that occurred when he slipped during warmups.
When you look back at it, there just seems to be a whole lot of bad luck involved here. It was just unfortunate that multiple players fell on him and that he then slipped on the floor. With neither of those things happening in 2023-24, Durant barely missed any time.
Not only has he been available for the most part, but Durant has also played at a very high level. The 36-year-old finished the regular season with averages of 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.
Durant also shot 52.3% from the field and 41.3% from beyond the arc. The 14-time All-Star had to carry a huge load with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal being out at various points this season but still managed to stay upright.
I am a bit worried about just how much gas is left in the tank now, though. We'll soon find out the answer to that question when Durant and the Suns face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
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