The Phoenix Suns continue their quest for consistency and good health as they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night at the Footprint Center.
Kevin Durant returned to the Suns’ lineup on Friday after missing three games due to an ankle injury, scoring 30 points in a victory over the Utah Jazz. However, the Suns were still not at full strength, with star guard Bradley Beal sidelined by knee soreness. This has sparked speculation that the Suns might be considering a trade, with Miami Heat guard Jimmy Butler being mentioned as a potential target.
The Suns’ Big Three of Durant, Beal, and Devin Booker have only played together for 175 minutes this season. Beal remains listed as day-to-day.
With Beal out, Booker has taken on the primary scoring responsibility, averaging just under 26 points per game. He tied his season high with six three-pointers in the win over the Jazz. Additionally, Suns center Jusuf Nurkic returned against the Jazz after missing two weeks with a quad injury.
Despite the challenges, Suns fans were pleased to see Durant back, as the team has been hovering around .500 but had bigger aspirations for the season.
On the other hand, the Portland Trail Blazers have lost nine of their last 11 games, including blowing a 17-point second-half lead in a loss to the Spurs on Friday. Nevertheless, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups remains optimistic.
Rookie center Donovan Clingan returned to action for the Blazers after nearly three weeks out with a sprained MCL. In 15 minutes, he scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds, but for the first time in his NBA career, he did not record a block.
Offensive struggles continue to plague the Blazers, who rank 29th in the NBA in field-goal percentage at 43.8% and 27th in scoring at 106.8 points per game, while allowing 116.1 points per game.
Anfernee Simons leads the Blazers with 17.1 points per game and tied his season high with 30 points against the Spurs. Jerami Grant had a standout performance, scoring 22 of his 32 points in the third quarter, tying for the eighth-most points in a quarter by any player this season.
The Suns previously defeated the Blazers 103-97 on November 2 in Phoenix.
