The Utah Jazz have no qualms with their current record, even if that means suffering through embarrassing blowout losses. However, the Phoenix Suns are a different story. After starting the season off blazing hot (no pun intended), the Suns have fallen to a mediocre record, and it's pretty easy to see that Kevin Durant is why.
Without going into too much detail, the Suns look like a contender when Durant is on the floor and healthy. Without him, they look like a team that's somehow even worse than the Jazz.
The Suns have the chance to make up some ground in the West against the Jazz. What remains up in the air is whether or not Durant plays. Per ESPN's Shams Charania, he could return for their upcoming game against the Jazz.
What Is Kevin Durant’s Current Injury Status?
Durant last played on December 3, as he has been dealing with an ankle sprain ever since. Charania wrote that Durant could return, but it did not sound like he was sure of that.
Timeline of Kevin Durant's Recovery
Sprained ankles vary depending on how severe they are and how the recovery goes. Since Durant could return against the Jazz, it sounds like he won't be on the shelf for longer than two weeks, if that.
Even if the Suns haven't won much without him, they should be thankful that it wasn't worse.
Impact of Kevin Durant’s Injury on Suns Ahead of Jazz matchup
The Suns definitely need Durant back, no matter who they're playing up against. The Jazz would typically be seen as a team that competitors can rest their guys against, but Utah makes their games competitive more often than not, even if they wind up losing anyway.
If the Suns did okay without Durant, maybe they'd tell him to sit this one out, but they've been awful, so if there's a chance he came come back, they will put him out on the court.
Is Kevin Durant Likely to Play vs. Utah?
Charania said he could, but did not say that he will. It sounds like it's 50/50.
How Phoenix Has Performed Without Kevin Durant
When Durant has played, the Suns are 11-2; when he hasn't, they are 1-9. While this futher demonstrates how impressively good Durant still is at 36, it also demonstrates how hopeless the Suns are without him.
That is kind of shocking since they got some upgrades for their rotation and have Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to shoulder the scoring load. But the results speak for themselves.
Possible Replacements for Kevin Durant in the Jazz game
When Durant has been out, the Suns have depended on former Jazzman Royce O'Neale as his replacement. O'Neale has been quite good since coming to the Suns, but it's not a hot take to suggest how much of a downgrade he is compared to Durant.