Kevin Durant And Jusuf Nurkic Both came back on Friday evening, but the Suns could have new injury concerns, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Bradley Beal He was a late scratch for the Utah game because of swelling in his right knee. trainer Mike Budenholzer said he was placed on the injury report after the knee problem began to develop between Thursday evening and Friday morning. Beal was able to participate in a shootout on Saturday but is listed as questionable for today’s game against Portland.

“We have already been in this situation this season” Devin Booker said of Beal’s absence. “It’s obviously a different game plan. You can’t replace what he does on the pitch, but everyone has to give a little bit more.”

Durant played 34 minutes and tallied 30 points and eight assists after missing three games with a sprained left ankle. He told reporters that the ankle felt “great” after the game as the team improved to 12-2 with him in the lineup.

“Of course he scores, the Iso plays, but he’s not on the ball defensively.” Ryan Dunn said about what Durant brings to the team. “His leadership role too. I’m just trying to motivate everyone to keep going.”

There’s more from the Pacific Division:

• The Lakers have provided clarity LeBron JamesAccording to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, the absence is due to “treatment of left foot injuries.” James hasn’t played since December 6 and was away from the team for “personal reasons.” He was upgraded to questionable for today’s home game against Memphis.
• The Lakers are looking for answers for their sputtering offense after scoring just 87 points in Friday’s loss to Minnesota, according to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. Price points out that the team has failed to score 110 points in eight of its last 10 games, having reached that mark 12 times in the first 15 contests. “Must score” Anthony Davis said. “Getting good looks. We didn’t shoot the ball well from three threes. I just have to take shots. We get great looks. We generate open threes, generate open looks for our guys. We just have to have enough confidence to do it.”
• Kings guard Kevin Huerter suffered a mild sprain of the AC joint in his surgically repaired left shoulder on Thursday evening, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports. The injury occurred when the New Orleans center fouled Yves Missi Midway through the third quarter. Huerter is considered day-to-day and his status for Monday’s game against Denver is uncertain. Huerter underwent surgery in March after dislocating his shoulder.