Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Suns podcast, with your daily Locked On Suns newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Suns and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Kevin Durant & Bradley Beal Eye Return To Suns Starting Lineup
Oct 28, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) against the Los Angeles Lakers at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In this episode of Locked On Suns, we dive into the exciting news that Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are set to return to the court on Tuesday. With Thanksgiving around the corner, there’s much to be thankful for in the Valley as the Phoenix Suns gear up for a pivotal week. Here’s what this means for the team and what fans can expect:
- Durant and Beal’s Return: Both stars participated fully in practice on Sunday, with head coach Mike Budenholzer confirming their readiness. This is a significant boost for the Suns, who have been navigating injuries since early November. Durant has been sidelined since November 10th, and Beal since November 13th. Their return couldn’t be more timely as the Suns face a crucial stretch in their schedule.
- Injury Management: The Suns have been cautious with Durant and Beal’s injuries, opting for a management approach rather than rushing them back. This strategy aims to prevent further issues and ensure both players are fit for the long haul. The team hopes this careful handling will pay off, allowing them to maintain momentum without risking further setbacks.
- Upcoming Games: The Suns have a challenging week ahead, starting with a game against the Lakers. This is followed by matchups against the Nets and the Warriors. Each game presents its own set of challenges, but with Durant and Beal back, the Suns are in a strong position to capitalize and improve their standings.
- NBA Cup and Standings: While the NBA Cup might not be the primary focus, it still plays a role in the team’s strategy. The Suns are currently 1-1 in their group, and victories against the Lakers and Spurs could enhance their position. However, the primary goal remains to secure wins and climb the Western Conference standings.
- Team Dynamics and Strategy: With Durant and Beal back, the Suns can focus on refining their team dynamics. The coaching staff will need to manage minutes carefully, especially for Durant, to avoid overuse and potential injuries. The return of these key players also allows the team to explore different lineups and strategies, enhancing their versatility on the court.
- Fan Expectations: Suns fans have endured a rollercoaster start to the season, but the return of Durant and Beal offers a renewed sense of optimism. The team is poised to make a strong push in the coming weeks, and fans can look forward to some exciting basketball as the Suns aim to solidify their place as contenders in the West.
As the Suns prepare for this critical period, the focus will be on integrating Durant and Beal smoothly back into the lineup, managing their health, and capitalizing on the opportunities ahead. With a mix of challenging opponents and must-win games, this week could set the tone for the rest of the season. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the Suns navigate this pivotal stretch.
It was the three second violation heard round the world. Kidding, but it was strange enough that you looked to confirmation of what you were seeing to those around you, and/or rewatched the replay of it several times.
Posted up under the Raptors basket, Rudy Gobert had Scottie Barnes on his back in a mismatch and was calling to Julius Randle for the ball. Beyond the arc. Randle dribbled the ball, unhurried, as the shot clock ticked down. He’s eyeing the lane, would clearly prefer to drive, and even plants a foot to take off from when the whistle finally comes for Gobert, strolling out of the key nonchalantly, with all the urgency you’d approach a dental appointment.
Still frustrated, Gobert then needlessly hip-checked Barnes at the other end, sending him to the line and sending the Raptors up in the match and in momentum. Toronto won 110-105.
You can take your pick for what’s more worrisome, because the perspective shifts depending on the root of a few problems the Wolves face.
That Gobert opted to showboat his frustration is definitely the most obvious, in terms of visibility. It isn’t the first time he’s let his petulant side out on the floor. That Randle saw Gobert — impossible not to with his long arm up and waving — and chose to ignore him, dribbling the ball into oblivion instead, is another concern. The biggest question around the Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns trade was fit — for playing style and chemistry. A slight detail that nearly gets lost in the sequence is that Jaden McDaniels hustled for a really long rebound, swung it to Randle, and the urgency of that move was immediately sapped by what transpired.
Taken individually, these would be wrinkles for a working team to smooth by the next match. And yes, both Randle and Gobert addressed the sequence, with Randle prompting media to “name a perfect family” and Gobert saying “people think great teams are the teams where the sky is always blue”. Normally, I’d enjoy an athlete beginning with a euphemism, in this case, it feels like aversion.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkic, and Devin Booker face scrutiny after recent performances. Explore the analysis of their impact on the team’s dynamics. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Stat The Suns are shooting more threes, but inefficient shooting is leading to losses. Tracking the stats reveals the need for better accuracy. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Legacy Nikola Jokic continues to redefine basketball creativity with his full-court swat attempt against the Lakers, nearly achieving an incredible buzzer-beater despite the constraints of the Trent Tucker rule. (CBS Sports)
Biz NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill discusses his investment in women’s sports and managing Team USA, highlighting his active retirement and commitment to sports development. (The Ringer NBA Show)
Rumor Western Conference coaches and executives are reportedly frustrated with the East’s playoff picture, suggesting a shift to a 1-16 seeding format to enhance fairness and competition. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) takes videos with his phone after the game against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances and crucial player updates that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With six games on the slate this past Sunday, there was no shortage of action and intrigue.
Player Updates and Injury News
One of the most significant updates this week involves Ja Morant, who has been upgraded to questionable. The Memphis Grizzlies have a consistent pattern of moving players from doubtful to questionable before they return to play, so Morant’s return seems imminent. Marcus Smart is also off the injury report, ready to make his comeback. However, the Grizzlies are still without Vince Williams Jr., who is sidelined for weeks, and Zach Edey.
In New Orleans, the return of key players is on the horizon. While Herb Jones remains out, Jordan Hawkins is back, and CJ McCollum is expected to play soon. Dejounte Murray has been upgraded to doubtful, indicating he might return later this week. These returns will undoubtedly shake up the rotations and fantasy implications for players like BJ Boston and ElfridPayton.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been idle since Wednesday, and Alex Caruso, who aggravated a hip injury, is out again. This extended absence is concerning for fantasy managers holding Caruso. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng’s fractured finger will keep him out for three to four weeks, opening up reserve minutes for Dillon Jones until Jaylin Williams returns.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Are the Trade Rumors Dragging the Phoenix Suns Down, Or Is It Something Else?
The Phoenix Suns dropped two terrible losses right as Bradley Beal for Jimmy Butler trade rumors started flying. Coincidence? Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia debate how much the trade whispers are to blame for the Suns’ poor play as well as what the actual biggest issue is for the Suns right now. Then, one big Christmas wish for the Phoenix Suns to close out the show.
Phoenix Suns Lose Another Game and Another Star As Devin Booker Injures Groin Vs. Pacers
As soon as Bradley Beal is back for the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker goes out and the Suns drop another bad home L to the Indiana Pacers. Is it too soon to call this rock bottom? Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia bring a dispatch from inside Footprint Center after another disheartening Suns loss. Does the team’s spirit need an adjustment in addition to getting healthy? And why did they lose even with Booker’s injury?
Should the Phoenix Suns Big 3 Look More Like a Big 2? Plus Favorite Non-Jimmy Butler Targets
The Phoenix Suns have been elite this season with just Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on the court, begging the question of what they really need from Bradley Beal. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down whether the Big 3 should play more like a Big 2, and what the best role for Beal might be if he stays on the team. To close, we each pick our favorite non-Jimmy Butler trade target this season.
