With their roster being decimated by injuries, the Phoenix Suns (15-16) will look to return to full health against the Memphis Grizzlies (22-11) on New Year’s Eve before the calendar flips.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!After suffering an ankle injury vs. the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, Royce O’Neale (left ankle sprain) exited the game in the third quarter and will be out on Tuesday. Devin Booker (left groin strain) and Bol Bol (left knee contusion) are both questionable while Grayson Allen (concussion) is probable against the Grizzlies, according to the NBA injury report.
With Booker, Allen, Bol and Jusuf Nurkić (suspension) out for the past few games, O’Neale tweaked his ankle in the second half against the Warriors and did not return. In 31 games (nine starts), O’Neale has been reliable whenever he is called upon, averaging 10.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
During a time in November when Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were both sidelined with left calf strains, O’Neale was integrated into the starting lineup and demonstrated his two-way game on both ends of the floor. Averaging 26.4 minutes and a steal a game, he is shooting 44.7% from the field and a career-high 44.1% from 3.
Booker has missed the past five games since exiting in the third quarter of the 120-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 19 with groin soreness. Changing in severity, Booker’s injury changed from groin soreness to a left groin strain. Before his absence, the Suns star was averaging 25.1 points, 6.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 26 games.
Being struck the back of the head by Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio’s arm in Phoenix’s 133-125 defeat on Dec. 21, Allen has been in concussion protocol. Struggling to adjust to a bench role after starting 74 of the 75 games he played and shooting a league-best 46.1% from 3 last year, the Duke product is now averaging 10.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
Falling below .500 for the first time this season, Phoenix is currently in the No. 11 seed as well on the outside looking in for both a playoff and play-in spot. The Suns have won just one of their last six games and are 1-4 without Booker.
To close out 2024, the Suns host the Grizzlies on Tuesday at 7 p.m. MST inside Footprint Center.
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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
