The Phoenix Suns are expected to have superstar Kevin Durant back in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are visiting.
Durant, who was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadline last month, appeared in three games on the road before breaking his left ankle in pregame warmups on March 8.
Despite Durant’s absence from the lineup, Phoenix (40-35) remains in fourth place in the Western Conference playoff race. The two-time Finals MVP has been eagerly awaited by Suns fans to make his home debut.
The Suns appear to be moving in the right direction, so adding Durant to the mix is a good move. Phoenix defeated the Utah Jazz 117-103 on Monday to record its second consecutive victory.
The Suns, led by Devin Booker’s 24 points, outscored Utah 57-25 in bench points. Deandre Ayton scored 14 points on his return after missing four games with a bruised hip. Reserves Terrence Ross, Cameron Payne, and Bismack Biyombo scored 36 points together.
Phoenix has also seen a boost from its bench over the past week, as Booker has scored an average of 31.7 points in the 10 games Booker has played without Durant.
Minnesota (39-37), which is vying for sixth place in the Western Conference playoff race, has been the opponent for Phoenix in two of the first three meetings this season.
On Monday, Minnesota defeated the Sacramento Kings 119-115 to extend its winning streak to four games. Jaden McDaniels scored 20 focuses to lead the Wolves. Karl-Anthony Towns passed on the game because of injury the board for his right calf strain, however he ought to be accessible against the Suns.
In the victory over Sacramento, Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 16 rebounds, Anthony Edwards had 17 points, and Naz Reid had 18 points. With the victory, Minnesota got within a half-game of the Suns for the No. 1 spot. 4 seed.
Reid, who has started the last five games and is averaging 20.2 points off the bench, has sparked the Wolves’ recent upswing.
