Fans of the Phoenix Suns are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to get to see their new Big Three in the lineup together during a regular-season game. Following the team's offseason trade to add Bradley Beal to a core that already featured Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Suns are staring at very real NBA Finals aspirations this season.
While Beal has yet to suit up for a regular-season game, as the team has opted to take a cautious approach with his back injury, Booker has only suited up for one game thus far, and that was the season opener. Booker and Durant put on a show in a 108-104 victory over the Golden State Warriors in that game, with the former pouring in 32 points prior to sitting out each contest that followed due to a toe injury.
Ahead of Tuesday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs, Suns head coach Frank Vogel discussed the timetable for a return of both players. As Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports revealed, his evaluation didn't exactly provide an overwhelming amount of optimism for either Beal or Booker. Vogel said there's "no real timetable" for either player, and all they've really been doing is "light shooting."
Frank Vogel said there's no real timetable for Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to return yet. Both have begun doing on-court work, but it's mostly been light shooting.
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) November 1, 2023
@DuaneRankin followed up on Beal's back injury, Vogel said he doesn't think it's a matter of caution, just following the timeline for his specific injury. When asked if it's safe to say Book is closer to being back, he said, "I can't really say that."
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) November 1, 2023
Obviously, it's only been three games, and it's tough to envision the absences spanning double-digit contests, barring something unforeseen or unknown. Regardless, the Suns entered Tuesday's game against the Spurs with a 2-1 record while playing mostly without both Beal and Booker, so things could certainly be worse.
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