Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans predicted starting lineups and depth chart for Dec. 5 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Phoenix Suns begin a four-game road trip on Thursday by visiting the injury-plagued New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. The Suns are coming off a win over the San Antonio Spurs, but were eliminated from the Emirates NBA Cup due to point differential.

New Orleans, on the other hand, lost its ninth game in a row on Monday against the Atlanta Hawks. It has the second-worst record in the NBA at 4-18, but it can be attributed to its terrible luck with injuries. It is still without Zion Williamson due to a strained left hamstring.

The Suns are currently fifth in the Western Conference standings with a record of 12-8. However, they are also starting the road trip without Kevin Durant, who suffered a sprained ankle against the Spurs. They are 1-6 without KD this season, which is not a great sign of things to come.

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Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Reports

Suns

The Phoenix Suns have six players listed on their injury report, five of whom are out for Thursday's game. Ryan Dunn is tagged as probable with a sore left ankle. He'll be evaluated before the game and will likely get cleared to play. Jalen Bridges, Collin Gillespie and TyTy Washington Jr. are with the Valley Suns in the NBA G League.

Kevin Durant has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle suffered in the Suns' win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. Durant is expected to be re-evaluated in a week. Jusuf Nurkic has a right thigh contusion and is set to be out for at least one week.

Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have seven players on their injury report and four players are listed as out. Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones and Yves Misse are questionable and will be evaluated before tipoff. They could either be downgraded to out or be cleared to play against the Suns.

Antonio Reeves is not injured, but is assigned to the Birmingham Squadron in the NBA G League. Zion Williamson is scheduled for re-evaluation before Christmas, while Jose Alvarado is still rehabbing his strained left hamstring. Jordan Hawkins has a back injury and will be out for at least a week.

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Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans predicted starting lineups and depth chart

Suns

G - Tyus Jones | G - Devin Booker | F - Bradley Beal | F - Royce O'Neale | C - Oso Ighodaro

Point Guard	Shooting Guard	Small Forward	Power Forward	Center
Tyus Jones	Devin Booker	Bradley Beal	Kevin Durant	Jusuf Nurkic
Monte Morris	Grayson Allen	Royce O'Neal	Ryan Dunn	Oso Ighodaro
TyTy Washington Jr.	Damion Lee	Josh Okogie	Bol Bol	Mason Plumlee
	Collin Gillespie	Jalen Bridges

Pelicans

G - Dejounte Murray | G - CJ McCollum | F - Herb Jones | F - Brandon Ingram | C - Yves Missi

Point Guard	Shooting Guard	Small Forward	Power Forward	Center
Dejounte Murray	CJ McCollum	Brandon Ingram	Zion Williamson	Yves Missi
Jose Alvarado	Jordan Hawkins	Herb Jones	Trey Murphy III	Daniel Theis
Antonio Reeves	Brandon Boston Jr.	Jamal Cain	Javonte Green	Karlo Matkovic
			Jeremiah Robinson-Earl	Trey Jemison

Note: Players in bold are out with an injury.

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How to watch the Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans game?

The Suns-Pelicans game is scheduled for an 8 p.m. EST tipoff at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. It will be televised locally on Arizona Family channel in Phoenix and Gulf Coast Sports in New Orleans.

Fans can watch the game via live stream on the NBA League Pass and FuboTV, which are both paid subscription platforms.