E-Paper
Phoenix Suns to face Denver Nuggets for conference top spot, coach confident about Kevin Durant's playoff return
Durant had an uncharacteristically poor shooting night on Wednesday, when he made his much-anticipated home debut against Timberwolves
The Phoenix Suns are gearing up for their Friday night showdown against the Denver Nuggets, but all eyes are on Kevin Durant's return to form. Despite a poor shooting night in his home debut, Suns coach Monty Williams remains confident in Durant's readiness for the upcoming postseason.
Durant, who missed 10 games due to a sprained ankle, logged 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in 29 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although his shooting numbers were uncharacteristically low, Williams believes that Durant's cardio just needs time to get back to the level he wants.
Also read | Kevin Durant's debut derailed by devastating ankle sprain, Suns' superstar to miss 3 weeks
The Suns, who are sitting at fourth place in the Western Conference, have high hopes of making a championship run with Durant in their lineup. Devin Booker, who scored a team-high 29 points against Minnesota, expressed his confidence in having Durant on their team, saying, "He's one of the best to ever do it."
However, the Suns will face a tough challenge against the Denver Nuggets, who currently hold the top seed in the conference for the first time in franchise history. The Suns are seeking their first win over the Nuggets this season after dropping the prior two meetings.
The Nuggets had their four-game winning streak snapped in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, where center Nikola Jokic missed the contest due to right calf tightness. Jokic, who is averaging 24.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 9.9 assists, may also be absent for Friday's matchup as the team is being cautious with his health.
Despite Jokic's absence, Nuggets coach Michael Malone remains confident in his team's ability to perform, stating that "when you're playing with the MVP, things are a lot easier." Jamal Murray, who scored 21 points against the Pelicans, could also be rested as a precautionary measure.
One bright spot for the Nuggets was the play of Bruce Brown, who scored 19 points off the bench. Brown has scored in double figures in six of his past eight games.
The Suns-Nuggets matchup is sure to be a thrilling one, with both teams fighting to maintain their position in the Western Conference standings. As Durant continues to regain his form, the Suns will look to capitalize on his talents and secure a crucial win over the top-seeded Nuggets.
