Kevin Durant is set to return to the Suns’ lineup on Tuesday, marking his first game since the trade deadline chaos. Phoenix struggled in his absence, going 1-2 in their last three games, with losses to the Thunder and Nuggets before a win against the Jazz, powered by Devin Booker’s 47-point performance.
Durant addressed the media for the first time since trade rumors nearly sent him back to Golden State, making it clear he never wanted to leave. However, he acknowledged the intense scrutiny he now faces.
“My body language, how I speak to you guys after the games, how I’m looking on the bench — that stuff is going to be magnified,” Durant said. “Which sucks, but like I said, that’s part of the business that I just gotta deal with and accept.”
Meanwhile, the Suns are facing another setback as Bradley Beal, who has played 37 of the team’s 52 games, remains out. Head coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed Beal did not practice on Monday, raising concerns about his availability moving forward.
Phoenix, currently tied for the 9-11 seeds in the West at 26-26, will need Durant at his best as they push for playoff positioning. Their next test comes Tuesday against the Grizzlies, tipping off at 8 p.m. MST.
