Suns’ Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic both out ahead of Warriors matchup with leg injuries
Nov 30, 2024, 6:29 PM | Updated: 6:31 pm
Phoenix Suns’ starters Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic have both been ruled out with leg-related injuries ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors at the Footprint Center.
Beal was listed as questionable for “left calf injury management” on Friday’s injury report before Phoenix first-year coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed his absence two hours before tipoff.
Nurkic was also on Friday’s report with a right quadriceps contusion.
The out designations were somewhat surprising after Budenholzer previously told the media Beal and Nurkic were probable.
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One of the Suns’ Big 3, Beal had a solid outing (8 of 14 and 17 points) in a 127-117 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. He tweaked his ankle in the fourth quarter and limped gingerly off the court. It was just his second game back in the lineup after being sidelined for five games with the exact same ailment.
Budenholzer told reporters before Saturday’s game that Beal has been putting in the work to get back to playing condition.
Beal has started all 11 of his appearances this season while averaging 33.4 minutes and 18.2 points.
Nurkic, the 7-foot center, recorded six points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes during the Nets loss. He exited the game in the third quarter and did not return.
“(Nurkic) just gets banged up,” Budenholzer said. “Had a lot of different things hit him.”
Phoenix guard Collin Gillespie was the third and final player listed as inactive, still dealing with a right ankle fractured he suffered on Nov. 12.
Golden State Warriors’ injury report vs. Phoenix Suns
Golden State coach Steve Kerr said he expects to see both Steph Curry (bilateral knee) and Andrew Wiggins (right ankle) play against Phoenix but their participation will be determined after pre-game warmups.
On Friday, Curry and Wiggins were listed as questionable.
Former Suns guard De’Anthony Melton (left ACL) was ruled out on Friday.
Phoenix and Golden State will tip at 7 p.m. MST on Saturday. Listen on 98.7 FM, the Arizona Sports app or online.
