SUMMARY
- The Phoenix Suns are facing challenges with a three-game losing streak, raising concerns about their performance.
- Kevin Durant, the star player for the Suns, is reportedly frustrated with the team's situation.
The Phoenix Suns (14-15) will face off against the Houston Rockets (15-13) on December 27, 2023, at the Toyota Center in a road game. The stars are not aligned for the ‘injury-prone‘ Suns, as the team is currently riding on a three-game losing streak after their last game at home against the Dallas Mavericks. The stats may also be worrisome for the roster, as the team trailed behind in the last game by a massive double-digit score. After all, as the Mavs amassed 128 by the end of the fourth quarter, the Suns could gather a mere 114-point score.
Kevin Durant handling the Bradley Beal-less roster vs. the Rockets
The Phoenix Suns are able to spot Kevin Durant’s frustration as the debut of the ‘Big 3’ seems more like a dream now. What fans are referring to as ‘another failed super team’ might be cause for concern for the roster. While Kevin Durant is playing at his best potential, the injury-prone Bradley Beal might miss two more weeks before returning to the hardwood.
People in Phoenix are feeling Kevin Durant’s frustration 😳, per Woj
(h/t @16and0 ) pic.twitter.com/FsY7q4w7RV
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 25, 2023
On top of that, the previous rhetoric might add to the tensions faced by ‘The Slim Reaper.’ Durant had to ask for a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, as the same situation arose last season when Kyrie Irving went MIA from most of the games and James Harden was down with injuries. While Beal takes his own sweet time to recover, there are other players as well who are on the injury report for tonight.
Houston Rockets Injury Report:
- Victor Oladipo (status not updated)
- Dillon Brooks (status not updated)
Houston Rockets Expected Lineup:
- Fred VanVleet
- Jalen Green
- Dillon Brooks
- Jabari Smith
- Alperene Sengun
Phoenix Suns Injury Report:
- Nassir Little (available)
- Jusuf Nurkic (probable)
- Josh Okogie (probable)
- Bradley Beal (out)
- Damian Lee (out)
Phoenix Suns Expected Lineup:
- Devin Booker
- Eric Gordon
- Grayson Allen
- Kevin Durant
- Jusuf Nurkic
Will the Suns defeat the Rockets with Kevin Durant in the lineup?
It’s an open secret that the Suns are falling back in terms of an effective defense. What they needed in these crucial times was a star guard like Bradley Beal. While Devin Booker and Kevin Durant are playing their shot against the opponents, the lack of defensive coverage might give a loophole to the Rockets.