For the Suns, they need Durant in the lineup to continue their recent hot streak. Phoenix has won three consecutive games and eight of their last 10 contests. They now sit eighth in the Western Conference standings with a 24-21 record after falling all the way to 12th in the standings.
Ahead of the matchup, Kevin Durant has been added to the injury report with a left thumb injury. He's listed as questionable, so he could definitely be on the hardwood with his team.
The players announced to start for the Western Conference are Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
James now has 2,591,287 fan votes to Durant’s 2,498,843. The two all-time greats are second and third to three-time NBA MVP, Denver Nuggets big Nikola Jokic, who has 2,924,436 fan votes.
One NBA executive joked about Suns owner Mat Ishbia having a new rule made for him with the Kevin Durant trade possibly backfiring.
In games where he has played, Butler has gotten the sense that Miami's offense is gearing more toward the Tyler Herro-Bam Adebayo duo, forcing him to be the third option. Although Herro is having a career year, Butler feels that if he's going to be the third option, he'd rather be a third option for Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns are above .500 for first time since Christmas after win over Detroit Pistons in third game of five-game road trip.
Kevin Durant is now a 15-time All-Star after being voted a starter for the West in the 2025 NBA All-Star game on Feb. 16.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant was named an NBA All-Star Game starter in the frontcourt for the Western Conference on Thursday.
SAN FRANCISCO — The first of what is expected to be five jersey retirements from the Golden State Warriors dynasty has been announced. The franchise will retire Andre Iguodala’s No. 9 jersey on Feb. 23, coinciding with another Klay Thompson return night, allowing Thompson to attend.
Tim Bontemps unveils his 24 picks for the East and West All-Star rosters, filled with new starters, wild-card intrigue and some agonizing decisions.
It wasn’t easy for Herro to get over the feelings of resentment and rejection that come with returning to a team that seemed on the verge of trading you. It took some soul-searching and a few candid conversations with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and the front office to get everyone back on the same page.