Suns Host Jazz in Preseason Finale With Starters Set to Return

Rotation lines up healthy. Devin Booker, Miles Bridges, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Oso Ighodaro and Collin Gillespie all carry day-to-day rest tags with a return date of tonight. If the tags hold, Phoenix closes its preseason slate against Utah with its starting core back together for the first time all week.

Kennard held out. Luke Kennard will sit out the finale, Arizona Sports reported, after leaving Wednesday's 103-123 loss at San Antonio with a left knee issue. The team lists him day-to-day, with no timeline reported beyond the regular season opener.

Preseason splits even. Phoenix is 1-2 in exhibition play: a loss at the Bulls, a 102-98 win over San Antonio at home, then a 103-123 loss back at the Spurs. Tonight's game against Utah, who sit 0-0 under Will Hardy, closes the slate before real games begin.

Short-handed minutes spike. When a starter has sat this preseason, the bump has been steep: Brooks logged 39 minutes and 28.7 points per game, Green added 13 more minutes per game, and Ighodaro jumped 12 minutes per game. Small samples, but Jordan Ott has learned who can absorb the load.

Williams still sidelined. Mark Williams remains out with a shoulder injury and isn't expected back until February 3, leaving the center spot open again tonight. Khaman Maluach and Duop Reath are the options behind him while Phoenix waits out the long recovery.

Jazz missing Nurkic. Utah arrives without Jusuf Nurkic, out with a foot issue, and lists Kyle Filipowski and Blake Hinson day-to-day. Lauri Markkanen averaged 26.7 points last season and Keyonte George 23.6; both are names Phoenix's defense has to account for tonight.

Payroll above the apron. Phoenix carries $216.2 million in salary, above the first apron, with Booker ($57.1M), Green ($36.3M), Bridges ($22.8M) and Brooks ($20.0M) the four biggest numbers. The 2027 first-round pick already belongs to Houston, part of last summer's Durant trade.