West Notes: Suns, Devin Booker, Grizzlies, Desmond Bane, Jazz

Suns

Devin Booker returned to the Suns’ lineup in Monday’s road win over the Cavaliers and the world again got to see what the Big Three can do when on the court together.

Specifically, Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal combined for 88 of the Suns’ points in the 117-111 victory, as noted by Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.

Durant led the way with 37 and Booker scored 27 after missing the previous four games with an ankle sprain. Beal finished with 24.

“They’ve got a great ability to pierce single coverage or drop coverage in pick-and-roll and when they start bringing two to the basketball, they’re all willing passers,” coach Frank Vogel said. 

• Forward Thaddeus Young has appeared in just two games since being acquired by the Suns last month. “If the matchup fits, then we’ll use him, but for now he’s behind (Drew Eubanks) on the depth chart,” Vogel said, via Rankin.

Grizzlies

Shooting guard Desmond Bane is closing in on a return from a left ankle sprain, per Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Bane has been out since suffering the injury on Jan. 12 but has progressed to 5-on-5 work, per Cole.

“He’s working really hard, so I envision in a couple games here, he’s back in the lineup,” coach Taylor Jenkins said.

• Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are hopeful forward Brandon Clarke can return from an Achilles injury before the end of the season. He is expected to start 5-on-5 work this weekend. “Really encouraged by all the signs he’s been showing,” Jenkins said. “He’s on schedule. We’re hopeful sometime maybe at the end of the month he’s in a Grizzlies uniform.”

Jazz

The Jazz have officially signed forward/center Darius Bazley and terminated the 10-day contract of guard Taevion Kinsey, the team announced.

We relayed the signings of Bazley and power forward Kenneth Lofton Jr., reportedly to three-year deals, on Monday right here.

Bazley, 23, is 6-foot-8 and is in his fifth pro season. He signed a 10-day deal with the 76ers in February.

Rather than play college basketball or join the G League, Bazley opted to work out on his own following his high school career, then enter the NBA Draft when eligible.

He was actually selected by the Jazz with the No. 23 overall pick in 2019, then traded to the Thunder a week later.

Bazley was traded to the Nets last summer and then waived before camp. Since then, he’s been playing extremely well for the Delaware Blue Coats of the G League. 

• Rookie guard Keyonte George scored 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting and backcourt-mate Collin Sexton added 20 on 9-of-16, but it wasn’t enough as the Jazz were blown out by the visiting Celtics on Tuesday. Jazz CEO Danny Ainge, of course, is a Celtics legend as a player and front-office man.