Suns Injury Update: Key Player Nears Return Ahead of Denver Matchup

The Phoenix Suns listed forward Royce O’Neale as probable for Tuesday’s March 24 game against the Denver Nuggets at Mortgage Matchup Center. O’Neale missed three games after a March 22 pregame workout, signaling progress toward a return.

O’Neale’s status and role

O’Neale has started 64 of 69 games this season. He is 6-foot-8 and provides size, spacing and veteran leadership.

The forward is averaging a career-high 9.9 points and 4.8 rebounds. He is shooting 40.3 percent from three-point range this year.

Who has filled in

Jordan Goodwin has started in O’Neale’s place. In three starts, Goodwin averaged 10 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Goodwin shot 37.9 percent overall in those starts and made 6-of-17 from long range. At 6-foot-3 he plays bigger than his height.

Other injury notes

Grayson Allen is listed as questionable with left knee injury management. He has missed four straight games.

Allen is averaging a career-high 17.2 points and is reportedly close to returning.

• Dillon Brooks: out with a left hand fracture.
• Mark Williams: out with a left foot third metatarsal stress reaction.
• Haywood Highsmith: out with right knee injury management.
• Amir Coffey: out with a left ankle sprain.

The Denver Nuggets have Peyton Watson ruled out with right hamstring injury management.

Standings and tiebreakers

Phoenix sits at 40-32 and occupies seventh place in the Western Conference. Denver and Minnesota are both 44-28, while Houston is 43-27.

The Suns trail Denver by four games for fifth. They are also four games behind Minnesota and Houston for sixth and fourth.

Phoenix holds a 2-1 head-to-head edge over Minnesota. Denver and Houston currently hold tiebreakers against the Suns.

Denver leads Phoenix 2-0 this season, with one matchup remaining. Houston has swept Phoenix 3-0, and the teams meet again on April 7.

Recent form

Phoenix snapped a five-game losing skid with a 120-98 win over the Toronto Raptors on March 22. That victory began a four-game homestand.

All-Star Devin Booker urged focus on playing the right brand of basketball to improve the team’s playoff positioning.

This Suns injury update notes a key player nears return ahead of Denver matchup. For continued coverage, follow Filmogaz.com for updates and analysis.