Suns rookie’s name pops up on injury report vs. Pelicans, Bradley Beal removed

Nov 20, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale (00) and forward Ryan Dunn (0) during the first quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

With Jusuf Nurkić (right thigh contusion) and now Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) out of the Phoenix Suns lineup with injuries, one player was added to the injury report but another key piece was removed as they begin a slate of three games in four days today.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Before the Suns (12-8) take on the New Orleans Pelicans (4-18), Bradley Beal, who has dealt with an elbow injury and left calf strain this year, is no longer on the report. Added to the list, however, rookie Ryan Dunn (left ankle soreness) is probable for the matchup.

Missing eight games this season, Beal returned against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and scored 10 points in the Suns’ 104-93 win. Since the trade from the Washington Wizards in the 2023 offseason, the Missouri native has been injury-prone for Phoenix, having sat 29 games last year.

Beal is averaging 17.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 12 games so far. The Suns are 11-3 with him in the lineup and 3-5 without him, proving that his availability makes a giant impact on the team more times than he is out.

For Dunn, he has only been sidelined once, Phoenix’s 114-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 8. Since he was selected No. 28 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Virginia product has impressed, and even been in Rookie of the Year talks at one point for his elite defense paired along with playing meaningful minutes off the bench.

Dunn is posting 6.0 points and 2.7 rebounds per game through the first 19 games into his rookie campaign. With Durant out for at least the next few games, Dunn has the opportunity to play a bigger role, if available.

The Suns and Pelicans go toe-to-toe tonight at 6 p.m. MST inside Smoothie King Center in Louisiana.

Chris Paul, Devin Booker maintain mutual respect after Booker’s historic night

*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*

Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini