Sports

Kevin Durant on injuries: ‘No negative feelings, it is next man up’

After Bradley Beal suffered a sprained ankle in Friday’s loss to the New York Knicks, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Frank Vogel all spoke about the onslaught of injuries the Suns have dealt with this season.

The Big Three has only played 24 minutes together this season and the Suns have had to use 12 starting lineups in 25 games this season.

Beal left the game with a right ankle injury with 7:28 remaining in the first quarter after shooting a three-pointer and landing on the foot of New York guard Donte DiVincenzo, who was called for a flagrant 1 because he didn’t allow Beal space to land.

Beal made the flagrant free throw before exiting the game but did not return. He scored six points and shot 2-of-2 from the field.

Vogel told reporters postgame Beal’s X-rays came back negative.

“Injuries are a part of the game,” Vogel said. “I am disappointed for him; he’s worked really hard. You can see the disappointment on his face, so that’s my biggest concern is keeping him lifted. He’ll get back soon enough, but it’s been a frustrating injury type of season for him. And in terms for us? Injuries are a part of the game. You can’t get caught up in that and you move on.”

Durant, Booker and Beal have been on the court together for just one other game this season which came during Wednesday night’s loss at home against Brooklyn.

Beal has played in just six of the Suns’ 25 games after suffering from a sore back which kept him out for most of the season. Friday’s contest was just his third game back after missing 22 of the first 25 games.

Beal is averaging 14.7 points in 25.2 minutes per game this season.

Booker has also missed nine games this year with foot, calf and ankle injuries, while Durant has missed five games with foot and ankle injuries.

“Keep leading, keep playing and keep competing,” Booker said. “We have a job to do, and we are going to do that. We all have a lot of experience and have been around to understand things like this happen. It is just how you respond. I am sure he is getting treatment and getting ready right now.”

Durant spoke highly of Beal, calling him a “selfless player,” and someone who can do anything out on the floor. He also praised his work ethic and said, “those are the type of people I love being around.”

Durant scored 29 points and added six assists in 36 minutes in Friday’s loss. Durant, in his 17th season, is used to dealing with injuries and explained the team’s attitude going forward.

“No negative feelings, it is next man up,” Durant said. “This is pro sports, we been a part of this for a long time. Guys get injured, (expletive) happens. I think we rallied around each other in the first half, played some solid ball. Played some solid ball in the third quarter too. They made shots, got hot and aggressive. They 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed us in the pick and roll and that was the game.”

Related Posts

Caelan Doris: ‘Going after someone’ for a mistake not my style

New Ireland captain Caelan Doris says he hasn’t adopted Johnny Sexton’s “assertiveness” as he tries to develop his own style of leadership. While Peter O’Mahony led Andy Farrell’s…

Exclusive: Wallabies selection twist as Schmidt set to bench Suaalii, surprise tip for Wilson replacement

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii might have delivered one of the great performances on debut, but Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt looks set to slam the brakes on the new face of…

“ทิตาธร” อัปเดตอาการบาดเจ็บ พร้อมตอบคำถามการเป็นตัวแทน “ธีราทร”

แบ็คซ้ายวัย 27 ปี พอใจผลงานหลังช่วย “ทีมชาติไทย” เสมอกับ “เลบานอน” ยอมรับยังมีอะไรที่ต้องปรับปรุงอีกเยอะ “ทิตาธร อักษรศรี” แบ็คซ้ายทีมชาติไทย เผยหลังเกมเสมอ ทีมชาติเลบานอน 0-0 ในศึกฟุตบอลอุ่นเครื่องตามปฏิทินฟีฟ่าเดย์ (International Exhibition Matches) เมื่อวันที่ 14 พฤศจิกายน 2567 โดย ทิตาธร ได้เผยว่า “ก็ดีใจครับและภูมิใจที่ได้ลงไปทำหน้าที่ พอใจในฟอร์มของตัวเอง แต่ก็ยังมีอะไรที่ต้องปรับปรุงอีกเยอะครับ”…

France v All Blacks preview: Scott Robertson’s men to capitalise on ‘fantastic opportunity’ and end losing run against Les Bleus

These games are always special affairs and Saturday promises to be no different as France face the All Blacks in a mouth-watering Autumn Nations Series clash. Les Bleus…

Will the north’s hopes ‘go south’ in world rankings?

Having completed a clean sweep of wins in the first full set of fixtures in the Autumn Nations Series, the dominance of the leading southern hemisphere sides could…

England rugby’s late woes revealed as Borthwick in Springboks’ spotlight

England coach Steve Borthwick leads his side into Saturday’s match against world champions South Africa at Twickenham in desperate need of a win as he bids to end…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *