Suns Could Make Late Scratch vs Mavericks

Nassir Little is now questionable against the Dallas Mavericks.

*UPDATE: Nassir Little is now available, per the team*

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns could make a late scratch to their lineup.

According to the team, Nassir Little was first ruled out against the Dallas Mavericks with knee soreness before being upgraded to questionable minutes later.

Suns now say Nassir Little has been upgraded to questionable for tonight's game https://t.co/ydCT7eQh4R

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) December 26, 2023

He was initially available heading into tonight despite dealing with a orbital fracture. He's played in the last five games for Phoenix. 

The Suns (14-14) have lost their last eight-of-eleven heading into tonight. The Mavericks' recent win over San Antonio stopped a three-game skid. 

Phoenix will need all the help they can get after Bradley Beal, Damion Lee and Jusuf Nurkic were also ruled out. Eric Gordon, Josh Okogie and Yuta Watanabe were all listed as probable but will be good to go per Suns head coach Frank Vogel.

Little has started in just two of the 21 games he's played thus far, his last start coming on Dec. 17 against the Washington Wizards. 

He is averaging 5.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per night. He scored six points in 16 minutes in Phoenix's loss vs Sacramento. 

Little arrived via trade from the Portland Trail Blazers (alongside Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen and Keon Johnson) in the massive trade that sent Deandre Ayton away from the Valley in late September. 

Suns-Mavericks will tip just after 8:30 PM Arizona time.