EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

Antetokounmpo suspended, other key injury report listings for Suns’ last shot

Aug 12, 2020, 4:21 PM | Updated: Aug 13, 2020, 11:54 am

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) heads to the locker room after being ejected during the...

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) heads to the locker room after being ejected during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

There’s a lot going on for the Phoenix Suns on Thursday besides a must-win game against the Dallas Mavericks.

A loss for the Memphis Grizzlies or Portland Trail Blazers means a Suns victory has them making the play-in.

The Grizzlies play the Milwaukee Bucks at 1 p.m., the same time as the Suns’ matchup with Dallas.

The Bucks clinched the league’s number one overall seed, so the expectation is for them to rest key players. It doesn’t help that MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is suspended for the game after headbutting Washington’s Moe Wagner on Tuesday.

According to the league’s latest injury report updates Thursday morning, guard Wes Matthews, forward Ersan Ilyasova and guard George Hill are all out and the only Bucks listed. The key thing to note here is that a player resting must be down on the injury report, so Milwaukee appears to not be resting anyone as of the league’s last injury report of Wednesday.

Now, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer could still put guys like Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton on minute restrictions, so we’ll see.

The Mavericks, the Suns’ opponent, also have nothing to play for having locked up the seventh seed.

Their injury report had center Kristaps Porzingis (knee) as doubtful before head coach Rick Carlisle said he’s out. Guard Seth Curry, wing Dorian Finney-Smith and big man Maxi Kleber are probable. No players are listed as out for rest, including Luka Doncic.

As for Portland, there are not any notable injuries to list for them or their opposition, the Brooklyn Nets. That game starts at 6 p.m.

The Suns’ injury report included the addition of forward Cam Johnson for tendinopathy in his left patella. He is probable. Kelly Oubre Jr.’s status still hasn’t changed from doubtful, while center Aron Baynes and guard Elie Okobo are not on the injury report after being questionable on Tuesday.

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro is reporting Baynes could be available.

You can hear the Suns’ final seeding game on Arizona Sports, with coverage of the team all day leading up to the game, starting with Doug & Wolf at 6 a.m. during “Suns Day.”

Empire of the Suns

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

2 days ago

Tre Mann #23 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns in the first quart...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns do enough through slog to beat Charlotte Hornets

The Phoenix Suns had an uninspiring three quarters and did enough in the other to get a win over the Charlotte Hornets.

3 days ago

Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics defends Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns  during the seco...

Kellan Olson

Suns unable to reach Boston Celtics’ heights again in road loss

The Phoenix Suns more or less matched the Boston Celtics before the game slipped away in the second half.

4 days ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to poor start, hit usual 4th-quarter slog in win vs. depleted Cavs

Monday was a tremendous opportunity for the Phoenix Suns, one they took advantage of to get a win but not without some trouble.

7 days ago

Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns’ hand forced by Boston Celtics in home loss

The Suns were outclassed by the Celtics that in the grand scheme of things didn't have a ton to do with a talent disparity between the two.

9 days ago

Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics react after a win o...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns face pair of top tests vs. ‘elite of the elite’ Boston Celtics

The Phoenix Suns will be put to the test in a pair of games against the Boston Celtics, the best team in the NBA.

11 days ago

Antetokounmpo suspended, other key injury report listings for Suns’ last shot