Kevin Durant Injures Ankle In Warmups, Suns Rout Thunder

Devin Booker scored 44 points, Terrence Ross added 24 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-101 on Wednesday night after losing Kevin Durant to an ankle injury during pregame warmups.

Phoenix has won four straight games, but that was almost an afterthought following Durant’s injury.

The game was supposed to be the home debut with his new team. A 13-time All-Star, Durant was added in a blockbuster trade deadline deal with Brooklyn and the Footprint Center was buzzing in anticipation.

But he rolled his left ankle while driving to the basket as he prepared to play. The 6-foot-10 forward immediately hopped up and was walking, but several minutes later, the Suns confirmed that he would miss the game.

With Durant out, Suns fans had to settle for a scoring show by Booker, who had 30 points during the first half.

The three-time All-Star shot 17 of 23, making 6 of 10 3-pointers. Ross also was 6 of 10 from 3-point range. Chris Paul has 18 points and nine assists. He made 4 of 5 3-pointers.

Oklahoma City played without All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander because of “abdominal strain injury management.” Lindy Waters III led the Thunder with 23 points.