Kevin Durant eager for Suns debut tonight against Hornets

CHARLOTTE,N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through theseason is a new one for the 13-time All-Star.

The34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried.

Durant makeshis highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday nightagainst the Charlotte Hornets. It comes 20 days afterPhoenixcompleted a blockbusterdealthat sent Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and fourfirst-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets, delivering shockwavesthroughout the basketball world.

This isDurant’s fourth different team in seven seasons, but he doesn’tfeel like joining the Suns midseason will be a huge adjustment.

“I have a lotof experience in the league, so the transition was a little easierthan it would have been 10 years ago,” Durant said followingpractice Tuesday. “It’s a quick turnaround and everything happenedso fast. But the game is the constant thing.”

The Suns arehoping that Durant’s addition gets them over the hump after losingto the Milwaukee Bucks in six games in the 2021 NBA Finals.

The Suns werein fourth place in the Western Conference at 33-29 enteringWednesday night’s game — one game ahead of another of his formerteams, the Golden State Warriors, with 20 remaining. Phoenix was 101/2 games behind the West-leading Denver Nuggets.

Durant hasspent the past couple of weeks getting to know his new teammates ona personal level, as well as how they operate on the floor whilemostly watching from the sideline as he recovers from a sprainedknee that has kept him out since Jan. 8.

The knee hasbeen pain-free for the last couple of weeks, according to Durant,and now it’s a matter of working his body into game shape.

He said goingthrough a full practice with teammates on Tuesday helped.

“I feelgreat. I am looking forward to getting this opportunity to playagain,” Durant said. “It’s been a long time. I was having fun outthere before I got injured. I’m looking forward to going out thereand picking up where I left off. I know it will take me some timeto get used to everything early on.”

His firstgame back comes against a Hornets team that has won a season-bestfive straight games but lost star point guard LaMelo Ball to brokenankle on Monday night. Charlotte also is expected to be withoutP.J. Washington (knee soreness) for a third straight game, meaningsecond-year forward JT Thor would have the unenviable task ofguarding Durant.

Durantremains at the top of his game, averaging 29 points, 6.7 reboundsand 5.3 assists per game while shooting 55.9% from the field and37.6% from 3-point range this season.

He has beentrying to visualize where he fits into the Suns’ system and how hecan have the biggest impact while learning the team’s plays.

“I know myversatility can help me a lot of different areas on both ends ofthe court,” Durant said. “Being able to shoot the ball fromdifferent areas of the floor can help me, even if I don’t knowevery small subtlety in a play I can still try to figure out justby movement and stuff.”

He said hisnew teammates have been eager to integrate him into offensivesets.

“Having along practice helped, and we were able to figure some stuff out,”Durant said. “So it’s been fun. I’m looking forward to trying totranslate over to the floor and see how we can keep building.”

Durant isclearly embracing his new surroundings and the idea of playing withChris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton and contending foranother NBA title. Durant said he likes the energy of his new teamand sees plenty of chemistry.

“There is anenthusiasm for the game and if a problem arises everyone is talkingabout it,” Durant said. “It’s not simmering or lingering over fortoo long and that’s always a good thing.”