Kevin Durant injury means he’ll miss another road game vs. Warriors

Warriors fans haven’t seen Kevin Durant play live in the Bay Area since he suited up for Golden State in the 2019 Western Conference semifinals. With another stroke of bad luck, that streak will continue into Monday’s game between the Warriors and Phoenix Suns.

Durant sprained his ankle warming up prior to what would have been his home debut for the Suns on Wednesday. He’s set to miss at least three weeks, according to reports, which rules him out for the game at Chase Center to open next week.

Durant played the Warriors at Chase Center once during his 2-1/2 years on the floor with the Brooklyn Nets, in February 2021, but it was without fans in the stands due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Durant watched from the bench with injuries during Brooklyn’s two other visits to the Bay Area after missing the entirety of his first post-Warriors season with the torn Achilles he suffered in the 2019 NBA Finals.

The Warriors have yet to face the Phoenix Suns since their blockbuster trade with the Nets for Durant at the Feb. 9 deadline. Brooklyn took a good chunk of Phoenix’s depth in the trade, including Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder.

Golden State is 0-3 against the Suns this season. Its next opportunity to face Durant would be in any potential playoff series.