PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns sit at 22-21 after closing out a five-game road trip with a 108-84 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The Suns now start a three-game homestand against the Washington Wizards (6-37).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Here are the pregame notes ahead of the game from Footprint Center:
Injury Report
Every player on the Suns roster is active as Bradley Beal (ankle), who was listed probably before the game, returns to the lineup alongside center Jusuf Nurkic who missed the entire road trip due to illness and reconditioning.
For Washington, Marvin Bagley III (right knee sprain), Saddiq Bey (left knee ACL surgery), and Malcolm Brogdon (right foot plantar fascia contusion) are all out.
Pregame quotes
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer
On Kevin Durant making the All-Star Game and his work ethic and dedication:
“I mean, there’s so many words that you could use to describe Kevin (Durant) and how unique he is. I think he just loves the game of basketball and he loves to hoop, so I think you see that come out with his work ethic, his attention to detail, his longevity, just everything that makes him special. He truly loves the game, and he’s given it a lot.”
On how Nick Richards is being utilized on defense:
“Yeah, I think he’s going to continue to grow and I think we’re excited about how he can impact the game, really everywhere. I think as a rim protector, somebody that’s there to help and be available to his teammates, I think he’s seeing it and feeling \ it and I think he can be really good.”
On Devin Booker’s performance these last few weeks:
“I think there’s a pop offensively. I think the ball has been in his hands, I think he’s kind of taken a little bit of the initiative himself and make things happen. I think he’s finding the three-point line a little bit more, mixing that in with the mid-range and getting to the free throw line. He’s had a good year with assists, so he’s just doing a little bit of everything, but I think he’s in a really good rhythm offensively.”
Wizards coach Brian Keefe
On how much Kevin Durant credits his pregame routine to you:
“First of all, Kevin’s very kind for saying that. But the truth is, I learned more from him. Obviously, I’ve worked with him for a long time, but just his consistency of routine approach, his mindset. He’s so diligent about the minor details of improving, and he’s still doing that at this age, and what, he’s 36 I think. It’s a testament to who he is. And saw that from an early, early age, that he wanted to be one of the best players ever. I mean, he said that to me, and he followed through with that by the work, so that the fact that I got to be on that journey with him for, I think was seven years, to watch that up close and personal, and watch those lessons and see how we went through that. Something I’ll never forget, really thankful for, those times.”
On if you have caught up with Kevin Durant today yet:
“I have not seen him. I will talk some trash to him during the game. I will try not to, I know how that kind of fires him up. So maybe I won’t do that.”
On how Bradley Beal coming off the bench affects your approach to this game:
“Becomes more of a focal point for their team. Obviously, it becomes one of their lead handlers. They’ve got a lot of guys who can do that, they got two other guys too, but now him coming off the bench, he just comes more of a focal point. He’s going to have the ball in his hands more. So, we have to be prepared for that.”
Starting lineups
Phoenix Suns starting lineup vs Wizards
Tyus Jones
Devin Booker
Nick Richards
Kevin Durant
Ryan Dunn#SunsUp #NBA #ForTheDistrict— Burn City Suns ☀️ (@BurnCitySuns) January 26, 2025
Washington Wizards starting lineup vs Suns
Jordan Poole
Bilal Coulibaly
Alex Sarr
Kyle Kuzma
Kyshawn George#ForTheDistrict #NBA #SunsUp— Burn City Suns ☀️ (@BurnCitySuns) January 26, 2025
Suns return to full strength as Beal, Nurkić expected to return against Wizards
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenosports, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
