The Phoenix Suns (3-1) and Los Angeles Lakers (2-3) will face off tonight in Palm Springs for each teams’ final preseason game. Kevin Durant and LeBron James are set to square off for the first time since 2018.
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Local Game Information
Start Time: 7 p.m. MST
Location:Â Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs
TV Channel:Â 3TV/AZ Family
Radio:Â Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM
Stream:Â Suns Live (click for more info)
Preseason Finale!
🆚 @Lakers
🕖 7PM
📺 @azfamily
📻 @AZSports | @az_mejor pic.twitter.com/9yfsh19zsL— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 19, 2023
Who is out for the Suns?
Bradley Beal (back) and Devin Booker (rest) will not be playing tonight for the Suns in a last-minute decision by coach Frank Vogel. However, Kevin Durant will play.
Devin Booker (rest) and Bradley Beal (back) are out for tonight's final preseason game vs. the Lakers, but Kevin Durant will play.
Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon will start.
We will still get to see Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James for the first time in six years. @BurnCitySuns
— Brendan Mau (@brendan_mau) October 20, 2023
Before only Damion Lee (right meniscus injury + surgery) was listed as out for the Suns tonight. Ish Wainright was also on this injury report, but the forward was waived today.
Starters
Phoenix Suns: Eric Gordon, Grayson Allen, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić
Las Angeles Lakers: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, LeBron James, Anthony Davis
Storyline – Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James
Based on what both teams have said, the are starters expected to play close to full minutes for the Lakers and in the high 20s/early 30s for the Suns. This will be to ramp up their conditioning with the season right around the corner. We will see if that’s still the case for Phoenix without Beal and Booker.
This means we will get to see a star-studded battle between Anthony Davis and James vs. Durant. Durant and James play each other for the first time since Christmas of 2018. The two have had some legendary moments against each other, including the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals, and been two of the top players in the league during their respective careers.
It’s official: Kevin Durant and LeBron James will face off tonight for the first time in 5 years pic.twitter.com/O8T02eTVBf
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 20, 2023
There would have been a lot more to takeaway from this game had Beal and Booker suited up, but really now we just get to watch James and Durant battle it out. However, the Suns still have one more player to cut after waiving Ish Wainright today. Their fifth starter battle between Grayson Allen and Josh Okogie appears to be neck-and-neck.
These will be some things to watch tonight from the Suns.
Suns’ Preseason Stat Leaders
Here are the stats so far for the Suns throughout their four preseason games (via Real GM):
via Real GM
Betting Guide
(This was before Booker and Beal were ruled out)
Despite Lebron and Company Playing More Minutes Tonight Suns Remain Favorite
Catch all the action at 7 p.m. tonight!
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
