The Phoenix Suns will host the Los Angeles Lakers at Footprint Center on Sunday.

The Suns (33-24) have slightly underperformed this season, as they were expected to contend for a high seed in the Western Conference led by their “big three” of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. However, they have not lived up to those expectations, and if the season ended today, they would be forced to participate in the Play-In Tournament. Phoenix has been playing well in recent weeks, but the Suns have looked a bit out of sorts after the All-Star break, losing their two contests against the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, though both games were on the road. The Suns have looked far better at home thanks to an 18-11 record in front of their fans.

Eric Gordon (groin) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) are game-time decisions for Sunday. Bradley Beal (hamstring) and Damion Lee (knee) are out.

The Lakers (31-27) are riding a similar boat to the Suns this season, as they are also stuck in the Play-In Tournament zone. Sitting in ninth place of the standings ahead of this contest, the Lakers have struggled with health and consistency all season long despite winning the In-Season Tournament in December. The Lakers have been on the rise of late, though, as they enter this game fresh off a 123-118 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. The Lakers have gone 4-1 over their last five games, but they need to find a way to improve their road play. The Lakers have gone 11-18 when playing on the road, but they seem to have the upper hand against the Suns this season, winning three of the four head-to-head meetings in 2023-24.

LeBron James (ankle), Anthony Davis (hip) and Cam Reddish (ankle) are all listed as game-time calls for Sunday. Gabe Vincent (knee), Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) and Christian Wood (knee) are out.