Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal to return for Suns’ NBA Cup game against Lakers

Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal will start for the Phoenix Suns as the team returns from a six-day hiatus Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Phoenix saw the pair return to the practice court Friday, when they took part in three-on-three action and conditioning work. Head coach Mike Budenholzer said the pair would go through a full five-on-five session Sunday before determining how their bodies responded on Monday. Both players have been recovering from calf strains.

Budenholzer said Friday and again Sunday that he was “hopeful” they could be back by the NBA Cup game at Footprint Center.

Phoenix enters its third of four preliminary NBA Cup games with five losses in a row and six in the past seven outings.

Those last seven games are without Durant and follow an 8-1 start to the year with him healthy.

Durant is averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 55% overall and 43% from three before his injury.

Beal averaged 17.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 48% shooting in nine games.

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