Durant’s Homecoming: First Pro Game in Austin

The San Antonio Spurs (23-29) will host the Phoenix Suns (26-28) on Thursday night in Austin, Texas, marking Kevin Durant’s first professional game in the city where he played his lone college season at the University of Texas.

For Durant, this game is personal.

“Austin is a place where I kind of started this journey,” Durant said. “To have so many friends and family still there from 16, 17 years ago is pretty sweet. I appreciate the NBA for setting this up.”

The Spurs will play back-to-back games at the University of Texas’ Moody Center, also hosting the Detroit Pistons on Friday.

Suns Need a Reset After All-Star Break

Phoenix enters desperate for a turnaround after losing three straight games and six of its last seven before the All-Star break, including a 119-111 loss to Houston on Feb. 12.

Despite Durant’s 37 points and nine assists in that game, the Suns struggled without Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Grayson Allen, who were all out.

The Suns now sit two games below .500 (26-28) with 28 games left to climb back into playoff contention.

“We’ve got to think about the day ahead of us and trying to get better,” Durant said. “We expect a lot out of ourselves, and it just hasn’t materialized the way we want it to. It’s been disappointing to see us play this way.”

Key injuries:

Devin Booker (ankle) – Probable for Thursday
Bradley Beal (hamstring) – Game-time decision
Grayson Allen (hip) – Out

If Booker and Beal return, the Suns’ Big Three (Durant, Booker, Beal) will have a chance to build chemistry for the first time in weeks.

Spurs Adjusting Without Wembanyama?

San Antonio also limped into the break, losing three of its last four games, including a 116-103 road loss to Boston on Feb. 12.

Despite De’Aaron Fox leading with 23 points and Victor Wembanyama posting 17 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks, the Spurs trailed by as many as 24 points.

Now, San Antonio faces a major hurdle—Wembanyama is listed as doubtful due to an illness, per ESPN.

Without their star rookie, the Spurs must rely on Fox, Harrison Barnes, and Devin Vassell to carry the offense. San Antonio acquired Fox at the trade deadline, but the team has struggled since his arrival (2-3 record).

Interim head coach Mitch Johnson emphasized that the Spurs must stay patient with their development:

“Any time you improve, expectations come with that. Any time you add a good player, expectations come with that,” Johnson said. “We will be stubborn and trust that we’re going to go about this the right way.”

Key Player Matchups

Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant – 28.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.5 APG
Devin Booker (if available) – 27.0 PPG, 6.8 APG
Bradley Beal (if available) – 18.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG
Jusuf Nurkic – 11.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG

San Antonio Spurs

De’Aaron Fox – 25.4 PPG, 6.3 APG
Victor Wembanyama (Doubtful) – 21.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.2 BPG
Harrison Barnes – 13.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG
Devin Vassell – 16.8 PPG, 4.2 APG

If Wembanyama sits, Zach Collins and Sandro Mamukelashvili will have to step up against Jusuf Nurkic in the paint.

Prediction: Suns Have the Edge

The Suns should capitalize on Wembanyama’s likely absence and their own reinforcements returning. With Durant extra motivated in Austin, and Booker potentially back, expect Phoenix to control the game.

The Spurs’ lack of defense without Wemby will hurt them, especially against an elite scorer like Durant.

San Antonio Spurs vs Phoenix-suns Picks and Predictions February 20th 2025