Durant uncertain for opener

PORTLAND -- The Sonics confirmed Wednesday what was initially thought, that shooting guard Kevin Durant has a sprained left ankle and will not play in the Sonics' final preseason game Friday against Phoenix.

Durant is uncertain for the season opener next Wednesday against Denver. An MRI and X-rays taken Wednesday revealed no fracture and Durant will be re-evaluated next week. He said Tuesday night he had a similar sprain at the University of Texas and missed one week.

Durant left the Sonics' 126-122 overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors with 2:10 left in regulation after having his ankle inadvertently stepped on by Warriors rookie Marco Belinelli. Durant said the pain was "excruciating" at first, but it began to subside as he walked off the court.

The 19-year-old wunderkind finished his first preseason averaging 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and nearly 40 percent shooting.

Durant leads all rookies in preseason scoring and is the favorite for the rookie of the year award.

"It's only two games, but I wish he had two more games to get ready," Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "Again, for a rookie and particularly the way we've played him, I think he's done decently. He can do better and he wants to do better."

Holding Durant out of the final two preseason games was more of a precautionary measure, especially considering the final game is Friday and Durant will get seven days of rest before the season opener.

Durant's absence further dampened what was scheduled as the first face-to-face matchup between the NBA draft's top two picks when the Sonics and Blazers met Wednesday. Portland No. 1 pick Greg Oden underwent microfracture surgery on Sept. 13 and will miss the entire season. That wasn't lost on Portland coach Nate McMillan, who nearly nabbed Durant with the first pick.

"We're televising this game," he said in his office an hour before Wednesday's tipoff. "We don't televise preseason games."

With Durant out, Carlesimo started Damien Wilkins at shooting guard and inserted Jeff Green at small forward. Durant will rehabilitate at the Furtado Center and is questionable to practice Sunday with the team.