Suns expect Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal to play vs. Lakers

Phoenix Suns stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are expected to return to action Tuesday night when the Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Lakers.

Both players have been dealing with strained left calf injuries. The Suns listed both players as probable for the game.

"Brad and Kevin did everything today," Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said after Monday's light workout. "So they came out of yesterday in a good place. ... We'll kind of wait to see how they feel, but we're expecting that they'll play, we're hopeful that they'll play and I think they're excited to play."

Durant has missed the past seven games and Phoenix is 1-6 without him. The Suns are 0-5 since Beal went down.

Tuesday will be the Suns' first game since losing 138-122 at home to the New York Knicks on Wednesday to stretch their skid to five games.

"I definitely feel a lot better," Beal said Monday. "I'm thankful we had the schedule we had so we had some rest days, Kev and I."

Durant, 36, was playing superb before the injury with averages of 27.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. The two-time NBA Finals MVP has made 24 of 56 shots (42.9 percent) from 3-point range.

Beal, 31, is averaging 17.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Budenholzer doesn't foresee much problem integrating the two back into the attack.

"Those two guys are veterans. It's basketball," Budenholzer said. "They have to go out and play. ... Just lean on their IQ and experience and just get them to go out and compete and play together."

--Field Level Media