The Phoenix Suns have a plan of attack without the injured Durant

by Junna Base November 11, 2024

Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn made his third career start on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings (5-4) in place of the injured Kevin Durant.

The Suns started Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, 7-footer Jusuf Nurkic and Dunn. Previously, Nurkic was listed as questionable due to left ankle soreness.

Dunn missed Friday’s 114-113 win at Dallas because of a sprained left ankle he suffered in Wednesday’s win over Miami. He was previously listed as probable but was upgraded to available.

Dunn started two games for Beal when he was sidelined with a right elbow sprain.

After Dunn made his first career start in the home opener against the Mavericks, Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said he liked Royce O’Neale in the second unit because he brings a variety of skills to that unit, starting with toughness.

O’Neale is shooting an absolutely insane 52.6% (20 of 38) from three for the Suns this season (8-1).

Durant will be reevaluated in two weeks after suffering a left calf strain in Friday’s win at Dallas.

The team’s peak was 27.6 points per game before getting back into the game with 7:39 remaining in the fourth.

“He didn’t reveal anything before he went back in,” Budenholzer said. “(Durant) was able to finish the game. There was no awareness of us. We thank him for doing it and finding a way to help us win this game.”

Booker (illness) and Beal (right elbow sprain) are no longer on the Suns’ injury report.

The Suns are on a seven-game winning streak heading into their first game against the Kings (5-4). The two teams will meet again this week in Sacramento as part of Phoenix’s four-game road trip.

Do you have any opinions on the current state of the suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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