PHOENIX SUNS

Suns to rest Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton Sunday vs. Thunder

Apr 2, 2022, 1:22 PM | Updated: 2:26 pm

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns is guarded by Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in...

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns is guarded by Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Chase Center on March 30, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Suns will sit guard Devin Booker and center Deandre Ayton for rest Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, head coach Monty Williams told reporters.

Forward Jae Crowder is listed out with right ankle soreness.

This is the first case of Phoenix resting players for non-injury reasons this season. The Suns have the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and top record in the NBA wrapped up, so balancing rest and ramp up to the playoffs is a primary goal.

There are only five games left on the slate — one back-to-back — and the Suns will get nearly another week off while the play-in tournaments commence. The playoffs begin on April 16.

Point guard Chris Paul will play as he continues to work up his conditioning after missing 15 games with a fractured thumb. He played 32 minutes on Friday in Phoenix’s 122-114 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, his fourth game since returning.

Forward Mikal Bridges is also slated to play and keep his streak of not having missed a game in the NBA alive.

The Suns take on the Thunder in Oklahoma at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

You can tune in on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Victor Wembanyama defends Bradley Beal...

Kevin Zimmerman

James Jones touts Bradley Beal’s balance as Suns’ playoffs begin

Bradley Beal found a groove late in the regular season. James Jones spoke on him settling into his role before the playoffs.

6 hours ago

Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban for sports betting...

Arizona Sports

NBA gives Jontay Porter lifetime ban for sports betting

The NBA levied a lifetime ban on Jontay Portay after an investigation found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors.

12 hours ago

Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against Jusuf Nurkic #20 and Kevi...

Kellan Olson

How the Suns shut down Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards so far this season

Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards has struggled in all three meetings against the Suns. What could change in the first round?

13 hours ago

Domantas Sabonis lights the beam after beating the Warriors...

Associated Press

Sacramento Kings eliminate Golden State Warriors from play-in tournament

The Kings dealt the Warriors a bit of payback in emphatic fashion with a victory that might signal the end of a dynasty.

21 hours ago

Jusuf Nurkic dribbles down the court...

Arizona Sports

Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic posts ‘that’s all folks!’ after Kings take down Draymond Green, Warriors

Shortly after the Warriors were ran out of the play-in tournament by the Kings, Jusuf Nurkic took to X with a simple yet effective post.

22 hours ago

Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards...

Arizona Sports

Full schedule: Suns-Timberwolves 1st round playoff series starts Saturday

The No. 6 seed Phoenix Suns will travel to meet the No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

22 hours ago

Suns to rest Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton Sunday vs. Thunder