The Phoenix Suns ruled two key players as available for today’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters pregame that Grayson Allen (right hamstring soreness) and Jusuf Nurkić (left ankle sprain) are expected to play today, and they are now officially available. Both were listed as probable. Bradley Beal (lef calf strain) and Kevin Durant (left calf strain) were already listed as out.
Today's @BannerHealth Health Update: pic.twitter.com/7cRO9g6y2C
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Allen had been out the last two games due to his injury. He has struggled to start the year in a new role off the bench, averaging 9.0 points on only 34.7% shooting, but did put together a solid performance (15 points on 5-of-10 shooting) in his last game played against the Utah Jazz Tuesday.
Nurkić has been in and out of the lineup the past week with his injury, but did play the last two games. His performance on the court as of late while dealing the injury has been very poor, especially in terms of shooting. He is averaging 2.3 points on 5.6% shooting (1-for-18), 0.0% from 3 (0-for-9), and 50.0% from the free-throw line (5-for-10) in his last three games, which have all been losses for the Suns. (h/t @SunsAreBetter/X)
Budenholzer also ruled out Beal for tomorrow’s home game against the Orlando Magic. The Magic matchup will mark four-straight games without Beal.
“He won’t play tomorrow. I think we’ll evaluate him after we’re back home and see how he’s doing as we return home,” Budenholzer said (via The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin).
The Suns (9-4) have gotten blown out in two-straight games and lost three of four as they deal with their injury bug. Phoenix had started Ryan Dunn in place of Durant and Royce O’Neale (1 game) and Josh Okogie (1 game) without Beal, so we will see if Allen takes their place in the starting five.
For Minnesota (7-6), Donte DiVincenzo is a game-time decision with back spasms.
Today’s matchup will be the first time the Suns and Timberwolves have played each other since Minnesota swept them in April and will be the last matchup of a four-game road trip for Phoenix. The game is scheduled to tip off at 1:30 p.m. MST.
Keys to victory: How Suns can close out road trip with win against Timberwolves
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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
