The Phoenix Suns are polishing preparations to take part in the NBA’s first ever in-season tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday when the Los Angeles Lakers play host.
As if a trip to Las Vegas for the semifinals on Thursday wasn’t enough motivation, the Lakers have previously defeated the Suns in their last two matchups to begin the 2023-24 season.
Phoenix has battled the injury bug in major fashion, as each member of the team’s star trio in Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker have missed various amounts of time.
In the team’s shootaround on Monday, Suns coach Frank Vogel gave updates on Booker/Beal:
Vogel on Booker (via Kellan Olson): “Frank Vogel said there was minimal soreness for Devin Booker’s ankle following Saturday’s win and that Booker should be good to go for the in-season tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday against the Lakers.”
Vogel on Beal (via Gerald Bourguet): “Frank Vogel said Bradley Beal remains out for tomorrow. With him officially ruled out, that’ll make it his 18th missed game of the season, which means he’s ineligible for any end-of-season awards. The NBA requires a minimum of 65 games as of this season”
That’s great news for Booker, who has battled ailments such as calf strain, sprained ankle and toe injuries dating back to preseason play. He did play in Phoenix’s recent win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.
Beal is entering the end of Phoenix’s self-imposed three week rest period for the former Wizards guard as lower back pains have kept him out for a vast majority of games thus far, as he last played on Nov. 12.
Both the Suns and Lakers will release injury updates a bit later tonight.
