Luke Kennard injury: Suns guard exits Spurs game on bad landing

Phoenix Suns guard Luke Kennard left Wednesday night’s preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs with an apparent lower-body issue after landing awkwardly on a contested floater. The veteran sharpshooter remained near the baseline, bending over in visible discomfort while his teammates scrambled to cover a five-on-four defensive possession before play was officially halted.

Kennard walked directly to the locker room during the ensuing stoppage with 6:43 remaining in the second quarter. The Suns trailed 34-32 at the time of his exit. No immediate update on the severity of the injury or potential return timeline was provided by the team following the game in San Antonio.

The timing creates immediate complications for Phoenix as the 2026-27 regular season approaches. Kennard joined the franchise during the offseason specifically to anchor the team’s perimeter shooting. He carries one of the most efficient three-point track records in modern NBA history, ranking among the all-time leaders in career three-point percentage. Losing that specific gravity — defenders forced to stay attached to him beyond the arc — alters the spacing required for primary creators like Devin Booker and newly acquired Jalen Green to operate in the paint.

Wednesday’s matchup marked the latest installment of an active exhibition slate under first-year head coach Jordan Ott. The Suns have cycled through extensive roster combinations across multiple cities this month, previously facing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Oct. 5 and the Chicago Bulls at United Center on Oct. 7. They hosted the Spurs earlier in the week at Mortgage Matchup Center on Oct. 10, a game that featured extended minutes for newcomers including Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges, and rookie center Khaman Maluach alongside Victor Wembanyama.

Ott has used these exhibitions to evaluate a significantly retooled rotation. The integration of Brooks and Bridges provides new wing defense and secondary scoring, while younger players such as Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, and Rasheer Fleming have competed for depth roles. Kennard was expected to be the stabilizing floor spacer connecting those various lineup configurations. His absence forces the coaching staff to redistribute offensive responsibilities just days before final roster decisions solidify.

Preseason injuries involving non-contact or awkward landings frequently require MRI evaluations to rule out ligament damage or bone bruising, particularly in the knees and ankles. Teams generally withhold definitive timelines until imaging is complete, treating exhibition absences with caution to preserve player availability for the 82-game schedule.

Phoenix concludes its preseason schedule Friday, Oct. 16, hosting the Utah Jazz. The regular-season opener follows on Oct. 21 on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers.