Suns Rule Out 2 Key Players for Christmas Day Match vs. Mavs, Including Bradley Beal
PHOENIX — The Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns will face off on Monday as the final matchup of a five-game Christmas Day slate. While Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker will be available to play, various vital players on both teams could be sidelined.
When speaking to reporters after Sunday's practice, Suns coach Frank Vogel informed reporters that Bradley Beal (ankle) and Jusuf Nurkic (personal reasons) will be among the team's players who will be ruled out for Monday's game against the Mavs.
“When I first got hurt, I honestly thought I broke my ankle,” Beal recently told ESPN's Andscape. “It was honestly the worst I've ever sprained it or treated it. And it's weird watching the replay. I can see step-by-step how it happened. And it is totally out of everybody's control.”
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Beal remains optimistic about his ongoing recovery process despite dealing with no shortage of injuries throughout his first season with the Suns. He was looking forward to having the chance to compete on Christmas Day for his sons to watch, stating that he's "praying" to be ready for the game.
“There is no better feeling than playing on Christmas, man,” Beal said. “As a kid growing up, this is what you dreamed of. Opening your gifts and then being able to watch games on Christmas. That was really cool. So now I have that opportunity to play again. This is nothing like it, man. I always enjoy it.”
“In the back of my head, I pray I’m ready for Christmas because my boys love to watch me play.”
The Mavs still must submit an injury report but are not required until 5 p.m. mountain time on Sunday, based on the NBA's rules. During Saturday's win over the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas continued to play without Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion), Dereck Lively II (left ankle sprain), Josh Green (right elbow sprain), and Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation).
The recent positive developments regarding the Mavs' injury situation included Lively and Irving no longer wearing walking boots. However, before the win over the Spurs, Irving worked out on the game court at American Airlines Center, suggesting progress in his ongoing efforts to return to competition.
Check back with DallasBasketball.com for the latest Mavs injury updates ahead of Monday's game and throughout the 2023-24 season.
