Luke Kennard was downgraded to out for the Suns' game at Portland on Wednesday night with a left knee issue. Phoenix opens without one of its guards, and Mark Williams is also out.
What happened
Luke Kennard is out for Wednesday's game at Portland, according to the injury report filed at 8:36 PM ET on Wed, Oct 21. The issue is his left knee. He had been day-to-day since Thu, Oct 15, with the same left knee issue, so this is a downgrade. The comment attached to the report still says he is questionable for Wednesday's game against Portland, but the status is out. The report gives Oct 24, 2026, as his expected return date.
What it means for the Suns
Phoenix plays at the Trail Blazers on Wed, Oct 21, at 10:00 PM ET. The Suns are 0-0, and the 2026-27 season has not started. Kennard averaged 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 21.5 minutes over 78 games last season. In games without him, the Suns' guards took most of the minutes: Devin Booker 33.5, Grayson Allen 28.8, Collin Gillespie 28.5, Jalen Green 25.9 and Jordan Goodwin 22.5. Dillon Brooks played 30.4 minutes and Royce O'Neale 28.4. Mark Williams is also out with a left shoulder issue, so his 23.6 minutes will need covering too. There are no regular-season games yet to compare the Suns' record with and without Kennard.
What to watch
The next injury report is the next update. The report gives Oct 24 as Kennard's expected return date. Watch whether he moves from out back to day-to-day or questionable before then. No other details on the knee have been announced. Phoenix opens at Portland on Wednesday night without Kennard or Williams, and the guard minutes will show how the Suns cover for him until he returns.
Is Luke Kennard playing at the Trail Blazers on Wed, Oct 21?
No. The injury report lists him as out for the game at Portland with a left knee issue.
When will Luke Kennard be back?
The injury report gives Oct 24, 2026, as his expected return date. No other timeline has been announced.