Phoenix, AZ - In a night of high drama and disappointment for the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant suffered an ankle injury during their lopsided 148-109 loss to the Houston Rockets. The incident occurred in the third quarter, adding insult to injury as the Suns were already trailing significantly. Durant's injury came shortly after an altercation with Rockets forward Dillon Brooks, who was subsequently ejected from the game.

Durant's ankle injury happened when he drove to the basket and his left foot landed awkwardly on Jabari Smith Jr.’s foot. The impact caused his ankle to roll severely, leading to visible pain and an immediate exit from the game. He was assisted off the court and taken to the locker room, unable to return. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer announced that Durant would undergo an MRI on Monday to assess the extent of the damage. Durant will remain in Phoenix for evaluation, missing the team's upcoming three-game road trip, which begins in Milwaukee.

Prior to the injury, Durant was involved in a heated exchange with Dillon Brooks. The altercation began when Brooks committed a foul against Durant. After the whistle, Brooks continued to play for the ball, leading to a physical confrontation involving Durant and Nick Richards. Brooks' persistent behavior and subsequent verbal outburst directed at the official resulted in two quick technical fouls, leading to his ejection. Brooks, known for his aggressive style, finished the game with eight points in 11 minutes. This ejection marked his 15th technical foul of the season, edging him closer to an automatic one-game suspension upon reaching 16 technicals. Brooks also leads the league in fouls this season, with a total of 235.

Despite Brooks' ejection, the Rockets dominated the game, securing a 29-point lead by halftime. Jalen Green led Houston with 33 points, contributing to the team's impressive 49-26 season record. The Rockets have won 12 of their last 13 games and are vying for the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings. In contrast, the Suns' loss dropped them to 35-40, placing them 11th in the standings and currently outside the playoff picture with only seven games remaining in the regular season.

The uncertainty surrounding Durant's future with the Suns adds another layer of concern for fans. There were rumors of a potential trade involving Durant earlier in the season, and with one year remaining on his four-year, $194 million contract, his long-term commitment to the team remains unclear. If Durant's ankle injury proves serious and sidelines him for the remainder of the regular season, the Suns' playoff aspirations will face a significant challenge. The possibility looms that Sunday night's game may have been Durant's last appearance in a Suns jersey.

In related news, reactions on Twitter reflected the somber mood surrounding Durant's injury and the Suns' performance. Duane Rankin noted the severity of the loss, while NBA on ESPN reported on Durant's MRI and absence from the upcoming road trip. Devin Booker emphasized the need for the team to step up in Durant's potential absence. Observers also highlighted the statistical imbalance in the game and the sequence of events leading to Durant's injury, underscoring the challenges facing the Suns as they approach the end of the season.