Suns star forward Kevin Durant is slated to return from a three-game absence when Phoenix visits the Utah Jazz on Friday.
Durant sprained his left ankle against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 3 when he stepped on the foot of Julian Champagnie while getting ready to shoot with 4:30 left in the second quarter. He departed 39 seconds later.
The Suns have lost all three games without Durant, dropping to 1-9 this season when he is sidelined. Phoenix is 11-2 when Durant has played in at least part of the game.
The 36-year-old veteran is averaging 25.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in his 13 appearances. Durant also missed time earlier this season with a calf injury.
Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (right thigh contusion) also is set to return after missing five straight games.
–Field Level Media
