In a collective effort, the Suns battled through stretches of inconsistency but ultimately pulled away from the Kings. By slowing the game down and working through their half-court sets late, Phoenix was able to move the ball, find open looks, and knock down enough shots to close it out.

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant will miss Monday's game in Phoenix and Wednesday's contest in Golden State tending to a family matter, sources tell ESPN. The absence means Durant will sit out matchups against two of his former teams, the Phoenix Suns (10-6) and the Golden State Warriors (9-9).

This “next man up” Suns group didn’t have sky-high expectations for one. Last year’s team did get off to a hot start, but won a ton of close games early, and then Kevin Durant’s injury led to a massive losing streak that they never recovered from.

It was always a matter of when and not if the Phoenix Suns' limitations in a shorthanded state would show themselves.

The majority of games will be televised on regional and national networks, and many will also be accessible through league streaming services for fans who are constantly on the go.

PHOENIX -- You can't control who the opponent is in front of you on a night-to-night basis, and the Phoenix Suns have faced some very fortunate injury luck over the last several games when it comes to who they're playing.

Without Kevin Durant, ascending Rockets visit surging Suns Kevin Durant's much-anticipated return to Phoenix will have to wait. A lightning rod for the Suns' successes and failures in his two full seasons in the Valley, Durant has been ruled out for personal reasons when the Houston Rockets visit Phoenix on Monday night.

The Thunder remained undefeated in NBA Cup group play with a win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Kenrich Williams made his season debut for OKC.