The Phoenix Suns advanced to a 2-1 record on Saturday, securing an impressive 126-104 victory against the Utah Jazz. This noteworthy achievement was accomplished without the presence of key players Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Booker has now missed two consecutive games due to a foot issue, while Beal is yet to make his debut for the team.

In the absence of these star players, the responsibility has fallen heavily on Kevin Durant, who has risen to the occasion, showcasing the qualities that make him a future Hall of Fame player. His performance included a remarkable 39-point display in a narrow loss to the Los Angeles Lakers before delivering 26 points and seven assists in the game against the Jazz.

After the game, head coach Frank Vogel once again lauded Durant’s impact on the team, revealing that Durant had requested additional defensive responsibilities. This conversation between the coach and player took place during the offseason, with Durant expressing his desire to guard the opponent’s best player when the situation allowed for it. This unconventional approach challenges the typical use of the 35-year-old player but presents a significant advantage for the franchise.

Durant’s recent role as a center against the Lakers, matched up against Anthony Davis, may not have resulted in an overwhelming victory, but it undoubtedly prevented the Suns from suffering a more significant loss. While there are concerns about employing Durant so freely on the defensive end, he may recognize that this is a necessary step in pursuing a championship. The absence of Jusuf Nurkic, a formidable big man, in the Lakers game forced Durant to spend more time at the center position than usual.

Nurkic’s return for the Jazz game allowed Durant to guard Utah’s top player, Lauri Markkanen, who finished with 19 points in 28 minutes of play. Markkanen, a first-time All-Star last season, has shown significant improvement with the Jazz, and Durant effectively slowed him down.

With Booker and Beal missing playing time, the Suns have notably elevated their defensive performance, ranking an impressive fourth in the league, with an average of 100.7 points allowed per game. While three games provide a small sample size, it is evident that this roster has the potential to finish around league average on the defensive end this season.

Coach Vogel’s teams are known for maximizing player performance on the defensive end, and the offseason acquisitions were made with this objective in mind. Durant’s inclusion in this defensive effort was unexpected, but his willingness to take on challenging defensive assignments when necessary is a positive development for the Suns. This not only eases the pressure on Booker but also allows Nurkic to focus less on chasing quicker forwards around the paint.

Of course, if Durant were to miss a significant portion of the season, this strategy could backfire. Nevertheless, through three games, he has demonstrated his ability to deter opponents from shooting and entering the paint when he is committed to playing elite defense.

Employing Durant in this manner at such an early stage in the season was likely not the owner’s initial plan. However, given the roster’s top-heavy construction, this was a foreseeable scenario. Having a player of Durant’s caliber buy into high-level defense so early in the regular season is a significant win for Coach Vogel and the Suns, demonstrating Durant’s full commitment. This ability to make a defensive impact while effortlessly scoring 25 points adds to the organization’s potential for success.