The Phoenix Suns are on a three-game losing streak before tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz, and will look to snap their skid with Kevin Durant, Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkić and Ryan Dunn all coming back from injuries.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic, Durant will be available after he was labeled as probable on Thursday.
“Kevin Durant will play tonight, saying he’s looking forward to playing,” Rankin said.
Kevin Durant will play tonight, saying he's looking forward to playing. #Suns
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 13, 2024
With a poor 1-9 record without Durant and being 11-2 with him playing, this is a massive boost for the Suns who are 12-11 on the season after a 8-1 start.
The two-time NBA champion was averaging 25.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game before he suffered a left ankle sprain against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 3. Durant has missed the past three games and 10 of the last 14 as he also dealt with a left calf strain that sidelined him for an additional seven.
Being out since Dec. 2, Nurkić returns after dealing with a right thigh contusion since Dec. 2. Another starter for Phoenix that is back, the 7-footer averaged 8.9 points and 9.9 rebounds through 16 games. The Suns will continue to ride the hot hand in terms of minutes between Nurkić, Mason Plumlee and Chandler native Oso Ighodaro going forward.
Though he has played in the last 10 games, Allen popped up on the Suns’ injury report with an ankle injury but will be good to go and face his former team in the Jazz. Transitioning from being a starter last year to coming off the bench, the Duke product is starting to adapt to the role, posting 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game after struggling to begin the season.
Listed as probable before sitting out the past three contests, Dunn has been removed from the report and will return to action from left ankle soreness. The No. 28 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft is totaling 6.0 points and 2.7 rebounds per game through the first 19 games into his rookie campaign.
The Suns will take on the Jazz (5-18) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. MST inside Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
