Nets-Suns injury updates: Harden, Ayton and Crowder will all play

It would appear both the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns are getting some of their best players on the court Tuesday night for a battle that will be televised on TNT.

Head coach Monty Williams said pregame that both Deandre Ayton (ankle) and Jae Crowder (wrist) will play after both were upgraded to questionable after shootaround earlier on Tuesday.

On the other side of the court, former Arizona State and current Nets guard James Harden (right hand strain) is also available to play, the team announced.

As of Monday night, Ayton and Crowder were listed as out for the game at Footprint Center, while Harden was questionable.

Harden has not played in two straight games, losses to the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.

Ayton and Crowder both went through shootaround Tuesday morning before they were upgraded. Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported that the duo would test out their injuries pregame but were expected to have a good shot at returning to the court.

Notable players still expected to sit out for the matchup are the Nets’ Kevin Durant (MCL) and LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle), as well as the Suns’ Cam Payne (wrist) and Landry Shamet (ankle).

Brooklyn is on a four-game losing streak and, if Harden cannot play, will have guard Kyrie Irving leading the way. Because of his vaccination status, he has not played in home games this season and is averaging 24.5 points, 5.4 assists on 49% shooting through eight appearances on the road so far.

In the Nets’ last game Saturday against Golden State, Irving started alongside center Nic Claxton, wings Kessler Edwards and DeAndre Bembry, plus guard Patty Mills.

Phoenix is riding a 10-game winning streak entering Tuesday despite an injury-shortened rotation challenging coach Monty Williams of late.

Tip-off for Nets-Suns is at 8 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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