Suns to have Durant, Booker and Beal for Big 3 debut vs. Nets
Dec 13, 2023, 1:37 PM | Updated: 5:28 pm
Kevin Durant #35, Bradley Beal #3 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns watch from the bench during the second half of the NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Footprint Center on November 15, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 133-115.(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant is available to play Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets, meaning his return would make for the debut of the Phoenix Suns’ Big Three, which also includes Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Head coach Frank Vogel told reporters pregame Durant would go with no minutes restriction.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported and Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro confirmed the expectation that Durant plays.
Additionally, Phoenix listed Grayson Allen (groin) and Josh Okogie (hip) as out, with wing Nassir Little available (concussion protocols). Vogel said Eric Gordon would miss Wednesday’s game with a calf strain, so Chimezie Metu will start alongside the Big Three.
The script-writers wouldn’t have it any other way.
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The game at Footprint Center marks the return to Phoenix for Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, who were lottery picks by the Suns in 2018 and 2019, respectively. They were shipped to Brooklyn as key pieces of the trade Phoenix used last February to acquire Durant.
The 35-year-old Durant is averaging 31.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game in 19 appearances this year. He’s missed the past two games against the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors with a sprained ankle suffered in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers that ended Phoenix’s NBA In-Season Tournament run.
Beal has appeared in four games over a 13-10 start because of a back issue and made his debut as Booker’s backcourt mate on Tuesday night in a win against the Golden State Warriors.
Durant was listed as questionable for that outing, then ruled out.
