Suns Team Notes

Nurkic provided five points (1-2 FG, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds and one assist over 14 minutes during Monday’s 109-99 victory over the 76ers.

After returning from suspension and being demoted to the bench, Nurkic didn’t do much to make a case to get back in the starting lineup or get more minutes. Nurkic took only two shots against the 76ers, finishing with five points in 14 minutes, and there’s no telling what kind of role he’ll have on this team moving forward.

Plumlee had two points (1-1 FG), seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 13 minutes during Monday’s 109-99 victory over the 76ers.

Plumlee was on the floor for only 13 minutes as a starter during Monday’s game against the 76ers. Outside of seven rebounds and two blocks, the veteran big man didn’t make much of an impact in the paint for Phoenix. With head coach Frank Vogel experimenting with lineups, it’ll be interesting to see if Plumlee’s minutes continue to dip.

Dunn finished with 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt), four rebounds and one assist in 27 minutes during Monday’s 109-99 win over Philadelphia.

Making his fifth start in the last six games, Dunn produced solid numbers in a complementary role. The three made three-pointers were his highest total since Oct. 31, and the rookie forward may have earned a regular spot in the starting five, as Bradley Beal was shifted to the bench Monday. Over his last seven games, Dunn is averaging 9.4 points, 4.7 boards, 1.4 assists, 1.4 threes and 1.1 blocks in 27.1 minutes a contest.

Durant finished with 23 points (9-14 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT), six rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 34 minutes during Monday’s 109-99 victory over Philadelphia.

Coach Mike Budenholzer shook up the Suns‘ starting five, moving Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic to the bench while promoting Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee. If the new rotation sticks, it could lead to higher usage for Durant and Devin Booker, who would be the clear top options on the first unit. Durant has scored at least 20 points in 11 straight games since returning from a sprained ankle, averaging 29.4 points, 6.4 boards, 5.1 assists, 2.0 threes, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals over that stretch while shooting 50.4 percent from the floor.

Beal racked up 25 points (10-15 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal over 30 minutes off the bench during Monday’s 109-99 victory over the 76ers.

The struggling Suns had lost seven of eight coming into Monday, so coach Mike Budenholzer shook things up by dropping Beal and Jusuf Nurkic to the second unit in favor of Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee. The move worked, at least for one night, as Beal led the team in scoring in his first bench assignment since the 2015-16 season. The 31-year-old wing has dealt with knee and hip issues in recent weeks, and the minor injuries have led to inconsistent production. Beal has scored more than 20 points five times in his last nine appearances, but he’s also scored in single digits twice, averaging 18.6 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 boards, 2.6 threes, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks over that stretch. Despite the strong outing Monday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Tuesday on First Take that the Suns are still trying to trade Beal, with previous reports linking Phoenix to Jimmy Butler, who’s grown disgruntled in Miam