Suns’ Bradley Beal out for Blazers game with right knee swelling
Dec 15, 2024, 4:30 PM | Updated: 4:39 pm
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is out for Sunday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to right knee swelling, head coach Mike Budenholzer said pregame.
Beal initially received a questionable designation on Saturday’s injury report.
“No, just swelling,” Budenholzer said when asked if there was anything structurally wrong with the knee. “Hopefully, today and a couple days without a game will be good for him, and we’ll see how he does each day.”
Beal, who will miss his 10th game of the season, was a late addition to Friday’s injury report and was absent from Phoenix’s 134-126 win at the Utah Jazz.
The Suns’ Big 3 was at two-thirds strength, as Kevin Durant returned from a left ankle sprain and contributed to a combined 64-point effort with Devin Booker (30 and 34, respectively).
Durant, Booker and Beal have all been on the court in just 10 games this season. Phoenix is 8-2 when all three play.
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In 15 games, Beal has averaged 17.8 points (third behind Durant and Booker), 33.5 minutes (also third behind Durant and Booker), 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and one turnover.
Beal was responsible for 18 points (8 of 12), four rebounds, two assists and two blocks in his most recent contest, a 115-110 loss at the Orlando Magic.
The Suns won’t play again until Thursday when they host the Indiana Pacers.
Guard Collin Gillespie (right ankle fracture, illness) remained out while fellow two-way players, Jalen Bridges and TyTy Washington Jr., will not be available.
Blazers’ injury report vs. Suns
Former Suns center Deandre Ayton (illness) was ruled out alongside Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain).
Backup big man Robert Williams III is questionable for Sunday night, listed as “reconditioning” after being cleared from concussion protocol earlier in the week. His status is being treated as a game-time decision.
Three two-way Blazers are also unavailable against the Suns (Bryce McGowens, Justin Minaya and Taze Moore).
Follow live action of Suns-Blazers on Sunday at 6 p.m. on 98.7, Arizona Sports.com and the Arizona Sports app.
