After enduring a devastating Achilles tendon injury during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, current Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant faced a moment of reckoning.
The rupture left him contemplating the end of his illustrious basketball journey, with the chilling sound of his leg popping echoing through his mind. Despite the Golden State Warriors’ loss to the Raptors in that series, Durant had already left an indelible mark on the sport, securing two championship rings and two Finals MVP awards during his tenure with the team.
The road to recovery was arduous, as Durant sat out the entire 2019-2020 season to rehabilitate his injury. Yet, his triumphant return to the court in the 2020-2021 season showcased his resilience, as he delivered stellar performances, averaging 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
Although the Brooklyn Nets fell short in the playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks, Durant’s remarkable postseason run, averaging 34.3 points over 12 games against formidable opponents like the Boston Celtics and Bucks, reaffirmed his status as one of the league’s premier players.
The subsequent season saw Durant maintain his exceptional form, averaging 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. However, disappointment loomed as the Nets suffered a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Boston Celtics, despite Durant’s valiant effort, averaging 26.3 points in the series.
In a surprising turn of events, Durant found himself donning the jerseys of both the Nets and the Phoenix Suns in the following season. Despite the transition, his on-court prowess remained undiminished, as evidenced by his scoring prowess, averaging 29.1 points between the two teams.
Durant’s stint with the Suns saw him contribute significantly to their postseason campaign, helping them advance past the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, their journey came to an end against the Denver Nuggets in the second round, despite Durant’s impressive scoring output of 29.0 points over 11 games against both opponents.
At 35 years old, Durant continues to defy expectations, boasting career averages of 27.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists across his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Warriors, Nets, and Suns.
Currently, he remains a pivotal force for the Suns, averaging 28.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game this season, solidifying his status as one of the NBA’s most elite talents despite the adversity he’s faced, including what many believed to be a career-ending injury. With his remarkable achievements and ongoing contributions to the game, Kevin Durant’s legacy in basketball is nothing short of legendary.
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