Even with the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers both playing on the second night of a back-to-back in tonight’s matchup, the teams are likely to have almost their full rotations of players available.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!For the Suns, Kevin Durant is listed as probable with a right hamstring strain. Durant returned from the injury, which had sidelined him for the previous three games, in last night’s 121-115 loss to the Grizzlies, posting 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. He was said to be on minutes restriction, but still played 36 minutes. This was only the fourth complete game the team’s Big 3 has played in.
Eric Gordon is also probable after missing the last two games with left knee soreness. If he suits up tonight, the Suns will be glad to have his veteran presence, boost off the bench and spacing back, even with Grayson Allen on a tear from three-point range the past couple games.
Devin Booker is not on the injury report despite rolling his ankle and taking a shot to the ribs last night. Both coach Frank Vogel and Booker said he was fine after the game.
Devin Booker returned to the game for the #Suns after rolling his ankle on this play
pic.twitter.com/BhootQoiq3— Burn City Suns Talk 🎙️ (@BurnCitySuns) January 8, 2024
The Suns still have four players out or doubtful: Udoka Azubuike (illness, doubtful), Nassir Little (left knee tendinitis, out), Bol Bol (right ankle sprain, out) and Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery, out).
Bol, who had been seeing his minutes increase off the bench, will be miss his second straight game. He suffered the right ankle sprain Friday vs. the Heat. Bol entered this game having scored in double figures in two straight games, but only played 10 minutes in it due to the injury.
Little will be out with what is now listed as left knee tendinitis (previously left knee soreness). Vogel has said he has been dealing with tendinitis in his knee that has occasional flare-ups, so he has been in and out of being available for games for the past week and a half. Little has not logged any minutes since the Suns’ Dec. 27 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Azubuike, a two-way player (can only be active for 50 regular season games), has been inactive the past two games, despite seeing some minutes in the rotation the previous few games.
Lee remains out after undergoing right meniscus surgery in the offseason.
For the Clippers, only Moussa Diabate (right hand metacarpal fracture) is on the team’s injury report and is out.
Devin Booker not on injury report.
Clippers also on the second night of a back-to-back and will have their full rotation of players available tonight.
— Brendan Mau (@brendan_mau) January 8, 2024
The Suns will now be arguably their healthiest all season if Durant and Gordon are good to go, as they look to avenge last Wednesday’s 131-122 loss to the Clippers. Of the players on the injury report, Durant did not play in this game, while Gordon and Bol saw big minutes. The Clippers were completely healthy in this matchup.
Tonight’s game tips off at 8:30 p.m. MST.
Frank Vogel Did Not Sugarcoat Suns’ 121-115 Loss to Grizzlies
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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
