Kings-Suns Injury Report: Durant, Beal Status Revealed

The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament, setting up a Pacific Division matchup on Friday night. This is the first of five scheduled matchups between the two star-studded Western Conference powerhouses this season.

The Suns were taken down by the Los Angeles Lakers, who have since advanced to the In-Season Tournament Championship. While the Suns and Kings are not playing with the NBA Cup and $500,000 on the line, this matchup will decide who takes sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division. 

The race for first in the Pacific Division is tight, so every game matters for these teams. The Kings are the reigning divisional champs, but the current three-game difference between first and last makes the Pacific the closest division in the league.

Injury Report Kings vs. Suns 12/8

Kings:

G Chris Duarte - QUESTIONABLE (knee)

G Colby Jones - OUT (back)

C Alex Len - OUT (ankle)

Suns:

F Kevin Durant - OUT (ankle)

G Bradley Beal - OUT (back)

G Grayson Allen - OUT (groin)

G Damion Lee - OUT (meniscus)

The Suns will be without superstar Durant for the third time this season, while Beal has missed 18 of the Suns' first 21 games this season. Phoenix's new trio of Durant, Beal, and Devin Booker have yet to play a game together, but with Beal returning to practice, the big three debut is imminent. 

Phoenix is down three starters with Durant, Beal, and Allen, as their depth will be damaged against Sacramento. With four players sidelined, former King Chimezie Metu could play against Sacramento for the first time since leaving in the off-season.

The Kings have lost four of their last seven games, and winning a road game in Phoenix, despite the Suns being short-handed, could give the team a much-needed momentum boost on the first leg of a back-to-back.

Kings' Duarte has missed the last two games, but with a questionable status, any added depth for Sacramento on Friday night will be helpful. Sacramento's key to victory over an injured Suns squad will be to run them out of the gym, using as much depth as possible while Phoenix is limited. 

The Kings' biggest worry will be shutting down Suns star Booker, but De'Aaron Fox or Keegan Murray will likely take the assignment and make the most of it.

The Suns host the Kings on Friday at 6 P.M. PT/ 9 P.M. ET.