The Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets will face off in a much-anticipated Wednesday night matchup at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. Both teams enter this game seeking to extend their recent wins. The Suns aim to build momentum after a big win against the Lakers, while the Nets, battling injuries, look to keep their streak alive after upsetting the Golden State Warriors. But the key highlight of this matchup is going to be Kevin Durant, facing his former team. Let’s dive into key details as tonight’s game promises intrigue as depth and strategy come into play.

Injury Report and Depth Charts

The Suns, at full strength, have a favorable setup. With Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal all healthy, Phoenix’s roster is as dangerous as it gets. Only Collin Gillespie, who suffered a right ankle fracture on November 12, is out.

On the other hand, Brooklyn’s injury list is concerning. Cam Thomas, their leading scorer with an average of 24.7 points per game, is out due to hamstring soreness, while Noah Clowney is out due to an ankle injury. Dorian Finney-Smith, Nic Claxton, and Cameron Johnson are game-time decisions with day-to-day statuses. Bojan Bogdanovic and Day’Ron Sharpe are also unavailable due to injuries from previous games.

Nets Depth Chart

Suns Depth Chart 

Can the Brooklyn Nets Shock the Phoenix Suns with a short-handed squad

The Suns (10-7) snapped a five-game losing streak with a commanding 127-100 victory over the Lakers, showcasing the impact of Durant and Beal’s return. Devin Booker led the charge with 26 points and 10 assists, reaffirming his role as the Suns’ offensive anchor. Phoenix has excelled at home, holding a 6-3 record and ranking ninth in the Western Conference in team defense, conceding just 113.6 points per game.

On the other hand, the Nets (8-10) triumph, including a 128-120 triumph over the Warriors. While their recent form has been promising, with wins in three of their last four games, they face an uphill battle. Cam Thomas, their leading scorer at 24.7 points per game, remains sidelined. The team will depend on role players like Dennis Schroder and Ziaire Williams to fill the scoring gap.

Phoenix’s offense is characterized by high-volume three-point shooting, averaging 15.1 made threes per game—nearly two more than Brooklyn concedes. On the other hand, the Nets have struggled defensively, allowing opponents to score 114.2 points per game, slightly worse than the Suns’ 113.6. Over their last ten games, the Suns averaged 111.9 points while allowing 115.7, and the Nets scored 110.1, conceding 114.6. These figures suggest that defensive execution could determine the outcome of this game.

Will Phoenix’s home-court advantage and depth prove too much to handle or the Nets overcome injuries and defy the odds yet again? Tonight’s matchup is more than just another game for Durant, facing the Nets, a team where he played a pivotal role for three seasons. For the Suns, Kevin is the star but for the Nets, he’s the one that got away.