The Phoenix Suns are currently in the midst of a five-day break in their schedule, which came at an ideal time having lost five straight games. They're next in action in the Emirates NBA Cup versus the Los Angeles Lakers, and have had some valuable down time and practice ahead of that game.
They'll have four more home games - that takes them nicely into December - before heading back out on the road again, with the memories of that gruesome 1-3 Western trip still all too fresh. As head coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned a couple of days back, the hope was to have Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal available as soon as that Lakers matchup.
The most recent update out of camp has both on course to do just that.
Coach Budenholzer was again speaking to the media after another practice session, and the question of Durant and Beal - both missing with left calf strains - was at the forefront of everybody's mind. Last time we'd heard from the team they'd taken part in 3-on-3 play on the court, but it has graduated to 5-on-5.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said Kevin Durant (calf), Bradley Beal (calf) did "everything" in practice today. Hopeful they'll be ready for Tuesday's game vs Lakers.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 24, 2024
How they feel after today's practice will play role in return. Budenholzer said they're trending upward. #Suns https://t.co/tq6EZMb0TZ pic.twitter.com/r8UKlmj4l3
This is the most positive update the organization could have provided, and it comes with the seal of approval from two teammates in Monte Morris and Tyus Jones as well. For both to say they looked good in 5-on-5 play - when really they could have just sidestepped the question if they'd really wanted to - is the best indication yet they'll both be good for the visit of the Lakers.
Coach Budenholzer also using the word "everything" in talking about how they practiced is another reason for The Valley to be optimistic. The franchise have been extremely careful with rushing either player back too quickly - and although Beal is just going to have these kinds of injuries the rest of his career at this rate - the 36-year-old Durant had started the season incredibly.
He was playing 40 minutes per game and was one of the most clutch players in the league in the early goings of the campaign - which may have skewed the numbers in his team's favor a little bit - and the Suns need him to hit the ground running once he does return to action.
The addition of both is sure to give rookie Ryan Dunn a timely boost, as his 3-point shooting has reverted back to his previously seen college levels recently. It may be that he's just hit his rookie wall much sooner than anticipated, but what is more likely is that playing with a pair of All-Stars made a rookie's transition to the NBA much easier. Who would have thought it.
Really though if the organization are to learn anything from this brutal experience, it is that they need to not run Durant and Beal into the ground so much during the regular season. Their roster might be deeper than last time out, but they're still top-heavy. Having these two plus Devin Booker healthy for the playoffs is the number one goal, and this scare will have reinforced that.