The Phoenix Suns will be shorthanded on Thursday against the Washington Wizards, as they ruled out guard Bradley Beal with a left ankle sprain.

The Phoenix Suns (21-20) play their fourth of a five-game road trip at the Cleveland Cavaliers (35-6) on Monday.

In his Suns debut, center Nick Richards made quite the impression with a 20+ point and 10+ rebound double-double.

Bradley Beal and Nurkic were benched for the Jan. 6 game at Philadelphia. Nurkic played that game and the next against Charlotte in the second of a road back-to-back, but Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn't play him the next two games against Atlanta and Utah.

The Charlotte Hornets traded backup center Nick Richards and a second-round draft pick to the Phoenix Suns for guard Josh Okogie and three second-round draft picks on Wednesday night.

Richards - coupled with rookie stud Oso Ighodaro - will inject a very pointed surge of athleticism into the Suns' lineup. Last season Nick Richards had more dunks (120) than Nurkic and Plumlee combined (100) in 1000 fewer minutes.

Phoenix Suns star guard Bradley Beal will return this afternoon against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing the last two games with a left ankle sprain.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is expected to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday while Jusuf Nurkic is out.

The Phoenix Suns have struggled this season, but they could retool their roster by swapping Bradley Beal for the Chicago Bulls' available duo.

CLEVELAND — Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is hopeful he’ll play in Monday’s game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing last two games with left ankle sprain. “As long as I can move like Brad, I’m good,” Beal said.

The Suns traded Josh Okogie and three future second-round picks Wednesday for Richards and a second-round selection. Wearing No. 2, Richards joined the Suns (20-20) Friday in Detroit and was ready to make his debut Saturday against the Pistons (21-20) at Little Caesars Arena.