O’Neale to Come Off the Bench as Suns Face Grizzlies

Phoenix, AZ – The Phoenix Suns have announced that forward Royce O'Neale will come off the bench during Tuesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This shift comes as the Suns welcome back Kevin Durant, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury, and as they experiment with Bol Bol in the starting lineup.

O’Neale, averaging 7.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 23.7 minutes over 32 games this season, will see reduced streaming appeal with this change. His role as a starter had provided him with increased opportunities, but with Durant’s return, those minutes will decrease.

Despite the adjustments, O’Neale is expected to receive significant playing time against the Grizzlies due to Bradley Beal‘s continued absence from the lineup with a toe injury. This situation implies that even coming off the bench, O’Neale could still play a pivotal role in the game.

“It’s a tough adjustment, but I’m ready to contribute in any way I can,” O’Neale said. “We have a lot of talent on this team, and I’ll just focus on doing my job, whether I’m starting or not.”

As fans prepare for tonight’s matchup, the Suns must navigate the challenges of lineup adjustments while staying competitive in the Western Conference standings. The integration of Durant and Bol Bol into the lineup is expected to add depth and versatility, allowing the Suns to leverage their strengths against a formidable Grizzlies team.

In the previous meeting between the two teams this season, the Suns fell short in overtime. The stakes are high as they look to enhance their playoff positioning. Coach Monty Williams is confident in his squad’s ability to adapt. “Tonight’s game is crucial for us, and we’ll need contributions from everyone on the roster,” Williams said.