When Kevin Durant was listed as doubtful by the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, it felt like more than just a sore ankle. As in, Durant has realized what most of us know—the Suns, as currently configured, aren’t going to make any noise in the postseason. 

Of course, team management wouldn’t want the 15-time All-Star to get hurt Wednesday in Oklahoma City while they’re shopping him. So holding him out while they likely take it on the chin from the Thunder isn’t a bad idea.

De’Aaron Fox makes his San Antonio debut after the Spurs acquired him from the Sacramento Kings. There is a lot of excitement over Fox being paired with Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.

On the college basketball front, we will dissect a surprising Missouri team visiting Tennessee. We will also look at the two NBA games mentioned above. 

PHOENIX SUNS AT OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Phoenix just got outplayed twice by the Portland Trail Blazers and has dropped three of its last four games. Oh yeah, that sore ankle? It didn’t stop Durant from playing a season-high 46 minutes in Monday’s 121-119 overtime loss to Portland.

Devin Booker became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer on Monday and has topped 30 in three straight games. You always know Booker will give a strong effort. Bradley Beal has taken to the bench role and isn’t going anywhere since he won’t waive his no-trade clause.

The Thunder have won 28 of their past 33 games and own the best record in the NBA. Oklahoma City is 21-3 at home and just lambasted the Kings by 34 and the Milwaukee Bucks by 29 in their last two home contests.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on a roll—OK, he’s ALWAYS on a roll—and has topped 50 points in two of his last six games. He had 34 points in just 22 minutes against the Bucks. SGA scored 28 in a 99-83 home win over the Suns on Nov. 15.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to score 35-plus points, +115 (DraftKings)

SAN ANTONIO SPURS AT ATLANTA HAWKS

Fox is averaging 25 points per game in his eighth NBA season, and the Kings decided to ship him now with 1 1/2 seasons to go before he hits free agency. Fox will be expected to make a big impact and the Spurs certainly bolstered their playoff hopes. 

Probably the only guy in San Antonio upset with this trade is 39-year-old Chris Paul, who has started all 47 games. But Fox will see a friendly face on the court in former Sacramento teammate Harrison Barnes. Oh, Fox and Wemby will get along just fine.

Atlanta is in the Eastern Conference playoff mix but lost eight straight games before delivering a 132-130 road win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday. The Hawks have allowed 130 or more points in each of their last three games. 

Trae Young has scored 34 points in each of the last two games and made the game-winning jumper with 1.6 seconds left to beat Detroit, but he’s also dealing with Achilles soreness. The Spurs notched a 133-126 overtime win over the Hawks on Dec. 19 behind Wembanyama’s 42 points.

Hawks +5, -115 (DraftKings)

MISSOURI TIGERS AT TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

No. 4 Tennessee is just 4-4 after a 14-0 start. The Volunteers just beat then-No. 5 Florida by 20 and hope to have standout point guard Zakai Zeigler (knee) back after a one-game absence.

Meanwhile, No. 15 Missouri is a big surprise in the tough Southeastern Conference and has won six of its last seven games. Particularly noteworthy was Saturday’s 88-61 shellacking of then-No. 14 Mississippi State, as it was the most decisive road win over a ranked foe in school history. 

Caleb Grill is among the national leaders with 49 percent accuracy from 3-point range and he made six treys while scoring 20 points against the Bulldogs. Tennessee coach Rick Barnes is certainly plotting ways to limit Grill’s shooting proficiency after his club held Florida to 4 of 27 from long range.

Volunteers leading scorer, Chaz Lanier (17.9 ppg), is streaky with just one 20-point outing over the last eight games. Tennessee could use a big game from Lanier.

Chaz Lanier to score 20-plus points, +115 (DraftKings)