Phoenix Suns stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are expected to play on Tuesday night when the Suns take on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Both players have been dealing with left calf injuries. The Suns have listed them as probable for the game.
“Brad and Kevin did everything today,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said after Monday’s light workout. “So they came out of yesterday in a good place. … We’ll kind of wait to see how they feel, but we’re expecting that they’ll play, we’re hopeful that they’ll play and I think they’re excited to play.”
Durant has missed the last seven games, and the Suns have a record of 1-6 without him. The Suns are 0-5 since Beal was injured.
Tuesday will be the Suns’ first game since losing 138-122 at home to the New York Knicks on Wednesday, which extended their losing streak to five games.
“I definitely feel a lot better,” Beal said on Monday. “I’m thankful we had the schedule we had so we had some rest days, Kev and I.”
Durant, 36, was playing at a high level before the injury, averaging 27.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. The two-time NBA Finals MVP has made 24 of 56 three-pointers (42.9 percent).
Beal, 31, is averaging 17.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
Budenholzer doesn’t expect much trouble getting the two players back into the offense.
“Those two guys are veterans. It’s basketball,” Budenholzer said. “They have to go out and play. … Just lean on their IQ and experience and just get them to go out and compete and play together.”
