The Phoenix Suns could be without their two star guards when they open the 2023-24 NBA season against the Warriors.
Bradley Beal is “unlikely” to play at Chase Center on Tuesday due to a back injury, The Athletic’s Sham Charania reported, citing sources, while Devin Booker is “50-50” with a toe injury.
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Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal is unlikely to play in tonight’s season opener against the Golden State Warriors, according to league sources @TheAthletic @Stadion. The Suns are taking a cautious approach to the start of the new season given Beal’s back ailment.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 24, 2023
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Shams: Devin Booker (toe) 50-50 for season opener Tuesday; will warm up and try to play.
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) October 24, 2023
Beal was acquired in a trade in June that sent a handful of draft picks, Landry Shamet and Chris Paul, to the Washington Wizards. Paul, of course, was subsequently rerouted to Golden State as part of a deal for Jordan Poole.
The longtime Wizards star has averaged at least 22 points per game in seven straight seasons. In Phoenix, Beal is expected to play a key role alongside Booker and Kevin Durant.
As for Booker, Charania reported that the three-time All-Star will warm up and attempt to play on Tuesday.
Both Beal and Booker played 18 minutes in the Suns’ penultimate preseason game on October 16. They skipped the Phoenix’s preseason finale but practiced Monday before the regular-season opener. The team listed Booker (left big toe) and Beal (lower back) as questionable on the official injury report.
In addition to these two stars, the Suns’ guard team includes Eric Gordon, Grayson Allen, Jordan Goodwin and Saben Lee.
Draymond Green, dealing with a left ankle sprain, is out for the Warriors after missing the entire preseason.
Warriors-Suns coverage begins Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. PT with “Warriors Pregame Live” on NBC Sports Bay Area. The game will air at 7:00 p.m. (PT) on TNT, followed by “Warriors Postgame Live” at 9:30 p.m. (PT) on NBC Sports Bay Area.
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