FILE - Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray against the Miami Heat during the second half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Denver. Murray announced Wednesday, Aug. 16, that he will not play for Canada in the World Cup. Murray said he needs more time to rehab to get ready for the regular season. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Suns rule Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal out for Saturday’s game vs. Nuggets
The Phoenix Suns have ruled Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) and Bradley Beal (left toe soreness) out for Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.
Grayson Allen, who was listed as questionable due to left knee soreness, was also ruled out after Mike Budenholzer said pregame his availability was “still to be determined.” The coach later called his injury “a day-to-day thing.”
Allen scored 21 points in the Suns 135-127 win against the Utah Jazz on Friday, including a 3-point buzzer-beater that sent the game to overtime. He is averaging 11.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and two assists per game this season.
Durant has missed the last two games for the Suns due to the injury he sustained in Monday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Durant missed 10 games earlier this season due to a left calf strain and a left ankle sprain. He is averaging 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.
Budenholzer believes the current injury will be a short-term one and that the two games worth of rest will be very helpful.
Beal has missed 14 games this season due to elbow, calf, knee, hip and ankle injuries. He is averaging 17.4 points, 3.4 rebound and 3.4 assists per game this season.
Rest of the Suns-Nuggets injury report
The Nuggets have ruled Jamal Murray (left knee inflammation) and Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring tightness) as questionable while Aaron Gordon (right calf injury management) is probable for Saturday’s game, per the NBA’s injury report.
