Durant and Beal have each been sidelined on account of left calf strains. Durant final performed on Nov. 8, having missed the Suns’ previous seven video games, whereas Beal has been out since Nov. 12 and has been inactive for the membership’s previous 5 contests. Reporting on Friday indicated that each gamers have been full contributors in apply and have been concentrating on Tuesday for his or her respective returns.
The Suns gained eight of their first 9 video games this season with Durant within the lineup and the star ahead enjoying at his traditional All-NBA stage, averaging 27.6 factors, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 blocks per night time with a superb capturing line of .553/.429/.836.
Nonetheless, Phoenix has misplaced six of seven video games with Durant on the shelf, together with all 5 since Beal went down. The Suns are nonetheless firmly within the midst of the Western Convention playoff race at 9-7, however the hope is that having all three of their stars – Durant, Beal and Devin Booker – again within the lineup will assist gasoline one other scorching streak.
Tuesday’s recreation towards the Lakers is the third in a six-game residence stand — the Suns will host the Nets on Wednesday, the Warriors on Saturday and the Spurs on Tuesday earlier than heading again out on the street to New Orleans, Miami and Orlando.
The Suns should win on Tuesday in the event that they hope to advance to the knockout spherical of the NBA Cup. They’re 1-1 within the in-season match up to now, whereas the 2-0 Lakers are the one undefeated group in West Group B. A win Tuesday would give Phoenix the tiebreaker edge over L.A.
