The Phoenix Suns are 1-1 on the season, as they have yet to have an entire squad. While the Suns won’t have a full team for most of the season due to Damion Lee suffering a torn meniscus before training camp, will either Bradley Beal or Devin Booker play against the Utah Jazz (1-1) on Saturday night?
NBA Rumors: Phoenix Suns Rumors: Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon Are Expected To Start Against Utah Jazz
Phoenix, which has played one of the most demanding schedules in the NBA’s opening week, gets to play at home for the first time this season when they host Utah. After defeating the Golden State Warriors 108-104 on Tuesday, Phoenix was outscored 28-11 in the fourth quarter as they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 100-95 on Thursday. The Suns were without Beal (lower back spasms) and Booker (left ankle sprain).
Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reported earlier today that Beal will miss his third straight game. Meanwhile, Booker was initially listed as doubtful but is now out.
For East Coast and early West Coast risers:
Devin Booker (ankle) doubtful, Bradley Beal (back) ruled out for Phoenix Suns home opener (w/video of when it appears Booker hurt ankle in opener)
Beal hasn't made #Suns regular season debut yet https://t.co/QV4Fh5D1n0 via @azcentral
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 28, 2023
Beal could make his season debut on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs. However, based on Frank Vogel’s comments on Thursday, Booker could be out at least a few more games.
“Brad’s ramping up his work and continues to have symptomatic as a response to the work, so he’s not ready,” Vogel said before Thursday’s game. “And Devin is dealing with significant left foot soreness. So he’s going to be out as well.”
TNT’s Jared Greenberg has said that Booker aims to play on Tuesday.
NEW: Devin Booker is out tonight due to a left mid-foot sprain which he suffered during Tiesday’s win at Golden State. A team source tells me Booker is aiming to return to action Tuesday pending the results of an MRI which he will receive when the team returns home. @NBAonTNT
— Jared Greenberg (@JaredSGreenberg) October 26, 2023
Who Will Start Against the Jazz
With the news about the Suns’ projected starting backcourt being out, it appears that Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon will once again be on the court at tipoff time. Allen has struggled in his first two games as a Sun, both starts. Gordon, on the other hand, has scored in double-figures in both games but has been very inefficient. Both players started against the Lakers.
Allen is averaging 3.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. He has made just 2 of 12 shots (16.7%) from the field, including 1 of 9 (22.2%) from the 3-point line. On the plus side, Allen has done an excellent job with his ball-handling, as he only has one turnover.
Gordon put up 10 points against the Warriors off the bench and 15 points against the Lakers. He averages 12.5 points on 31.3% shooting from the field and 23.5% from the 3-point line.
Jordan Goodwin will also see an increase in time on the court. Goodwin saw his minutes double with both Booker and Beal out against the Lakers. In nearly 30 minutes Thursday, Goodwin tallied 14 points, grabbed six rebounds, and doled out two assists. He also has a +7.5 plus/minus rating through two games.
