The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns lock horns for the third time this season, and the Nuggets aim for their third straight victory.
Latest Updates Injury for Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns
The Suns think they have the pieces in place to make a deep playoff run with Durant after acquiring him from the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadline earlier this month.
Monty Williams, head coach of the Phoenix Suns, has no concerns about Kevin Durant’s playoff fitness. Williams has no doubt that the 13-time All-Star will get back on track.
On Friday, the Phoenix Suns host the Denver Nuggets, who lead the Western Conference and are still on track to win the top seed in the conference for the first time in team history. Durant will try to take another step forward in this game.
On Wednesday, Durant made his much anticipated home debut in a 107-100 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he had an uncharacteristically dismal shooting night.
Durant scored 16 points, grabbed eight boards, and dished out four assists in 29 minutes after missing 10 games with a sprained left ankle. He shot just 5-for-18 from the field.
Phoenix (41-35) is currently in fourth place in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers after a 29-point performance by Devin Booker and 19 from Chris Paul in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Suns have yet to beat the Nuggets this year.
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The Nuggets (51-25) saw their four-game winning run end on Thursday as they lost 107-88 to the visiting New Orleans Pelicans. Nikola Jokic did not play because of a sore right calf.
Denver’s poor performance against the Pelicans may have helped Jokic’s MVP campaign, as he is averaging 24.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game.
With only seven games remaining in the regular season, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone is taking precautions with his team’s star player on the opening night of a back-to-back.
Jokic has been out for nine games already this year, and Malone has indicated he may not play on Friday.
Jamal Murray scored 21 points against the Pelicans to lead the Nuggets, who hold a three-game lead over the second-place Memphis Grizzlies with six games left.
Murray, who played 36 minutes in the loss, could be rested in the second game of a back-to-back set as a precautionary measure.
Injury Report Nuggets:
- Nikola Jokic (Calf) – Out
- Jack White (Covid-19) – Out
- Collin Gillespie (Lower Leg) – Out
Injury Reports Suns:
- None of injuries.
