Kevin Durant remains out with a strained left calf, and the Phoenix Suns appear borderline dysfunctional without him. The Suns are 1-5 since Durant's injury and now face a tough test from the visiting New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

Alabama coach Nate Oats says he likes playing road games at tough venues -- like last week's visit to Purdue -- so he can learn more about his squad. He couldn't have liked the fact the Boilermakers operated at will in the interior and were easily the better team late in the game.

The San Jose Sharks are a sparkling 6-3-2 since their horrendous 0-7-2 start. They visit the Dallas Stars, who have won 11 of 17 games so far this season.

While Durant applies Tiger Balm to that calf, we will study the Suns-Knicks game as well as NHL and college hoops contests.

New York has won its last three games as it begins a five-game road trip in Phoenix. The Knicks are faring well with star Jalen Brunson mixing very easily with newcomer Karl-Anthony Towns.

And how about the ball sharing in Monday's 134-116 home win over the Washington Wizards? Try a stunning 37 assists against just eight turnovers. Even stern coach Tom Thibodeau said "the unselfishness was terrific," but we're still having a hard time picturing him smiling.

It's quite stunning how inept the Suns have been since Durant went down, as three of the five losses have been by double digits. Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) have also missed time and Beal will be absent against New York while Nurkic is questionable.

Devin Booker has struggled in three of the past four games but had 44 points in the other one. Even if the real 'Book' shows up, these Suns are not in a good place and won't even cover at home.