Kevin

Durant

Durant shot 50% from the field on Saturday, but the overall production was modest by his standards. Despite the relatively quiet nights against Golden State (Friday) and Portland, the Suns forward remains a 1st-round player in 8- and 9-cat formats. Durant and the Suns will look to bounce back when they face Portland again on Monday, the first of four Week 15 games for Phoenix.

The Suns are now 24-13 with Durant in the lineup this season and 1-9 without. He didn’t have his best night shooting the basketball, but the future Hall of Fame forward did record a complete stat line in the Suns’ comfortable victory. Over the past two weeks, Durant has offered top-10 value in 8- and 9-cat formats, aligning with his season-long value. KD and the Suns, who have won nine of their last 12, will look to end Week 14 on a high note when they visit Portland on Saturday.

Durant, who was initially questionable for Wednesday’s game with a left thumb injury, ultimately played and matched Anthony Edwards’ point total. That wasn’t enough to get Phoenix the victory, but fantasy managers were likely pleased with KD’s overall stat line. Over the past two weeks, Durant has been a top-10 player in 8- and 9-cat formats. Phoenix hits the road for a Friday/Saturday back-to-back to end Week 14, beginning with the Warriors on Friday.

Durant has been dealing with a left thumb injury but will be in the lineup for Wednesday’s game. While Ryan Dunn (ankle) is back after missing Monday’s win over the Clippers, Royce O’Neale will remain in the starting lineup.

Durant hasn’t missed a game since early December, but this left thumb injury could change that. A spot in the starting unit would open up, which could be filled by Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen or Ryan Dunn (ankle).

Durant’s hot shooting stretch continued Saturday. The 36-year-old small forward had at least 20 points while shooting above 50 percent from the field for the third straight game in a row. Durant made at least four 3-pointers for the second game in a row. He’s returned second round fantasy value on the season. Phoenix has four games in the upcoming week, starting with the Clippers Monday.

Durant’s stat line on Wednesday was modest by the lofty standard he’s set. The good news for fantasy managers is that the future of Hall of Fame forward was efficient, shooting over 50% from the field and committing just one turnover. Over the past two weeks, Durant has provided 2nd-round value in 8- and 9-cat formats, which aligns with his season-long production. The Suns end Week 13 with a home game against the Wizards on Saturday.

Durant has scored 23 points or more in 17 consecutive games, including six games with at least 30. As the Suns’ most consistent fantasy option, he’s been close to a 1st-round player in 8- and 9-cat formats this season. The good news for fantasy managers is that the Suns’ remaining Week 13 schedule will be much easier. Phoenix ends its road trip in Brooklyn on Wednesday, and they’ll host the Wizards on Saturday.

Durant’s 36 points are the most he’s scored in a game since December 21, when he scored a season-high 43 against the Pistons. Not many teams have a “good” defensive matchup for Durant, so there’s little shame in Detroit failing to keep him under wraps in either of the meetings this season. KD is providing 1st-round value in 8-cat formats while ranking a few spots outside that threshold (12 teams) in 9-cat. The Suns play three games in Week 13, beginning with the Cavaliers on Monday.

It wasn’t enough to get the win, but Durant did a little bit of everything in this game and turned in a line that will play incredibly well in fantasy hoops. This was his first game since Christmas that he didn’t hit a 3-pointer, but he was able to somewhat make up for it with an incredibly efficient shooting night. Whether the Suns are winning or not, Durant will continue to show out for fantasy managers. They have two more games this week, with a matchup in Washington on Thursday coming up next.