Kevin Durant 'looked great' in first practice with Phoenix Suns, but won't play until after NBA All-Star game
Kevin Durant is in the building.
The newest Phoenix Suns superstar was getting up shots after his first practice with the team Monday before the Suns play the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday at Footprint Center.
“He looked great,” Suns forward T.J. Warren said. “You know Kevin. He’s a well-oiled machine.”
Durant is out until after the All-Star break with a right MCL sprain, Suns officials confirmed. Averaging 29.7 points this season, Durant last played for the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 8 at Miami.
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He’s been ruled out of Sunday’s All-Star game in Salt Lake City, but Durant looked fluid on his jump shot during the media viewing portion of practice.
Durant even played 1-on-1 with Suns assistant coach Jarrett Jack and drove to the basket. He wasn't wearing a brace, either.
“The gym and the culture that we’ve built here allows of guys like that to come in and fit, but I do think it does have a huge impression on anybody that watches somebody that’s accomplished that much, watching how hard they go,” coach Monty Williams said about Durant, a two-time finals MVP and 13-time All-Star.
“I can’t speak to what people feel about that, but I know for me, being in the gym with the great ones or really good players that bring it like every day, it made me want to get after it.”
The Suns traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks and a pick swap, to Brooklyn for Warren and Durant before last Thursday's trade deadline.
Warren and Darius Bazley, who the Suns acquired in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be available for Tuesday’s game. Phoenix traded Dario Saric and a second-round pick for Bazley.
Landry Shamet (foot) and Cameron Payne (foot) remain out as they’ll be re-evaluated after the All-Star break, Suns officials said.
The Suns will have Durant’s introductory press conference Thursday at Footprint Center.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.