Phoenix starts homestand on skid without Durant, Beal

This is the Suns’ first in a six-game homestand and the first of their home-and-away series against the Magic. It’s also the second of a back-to-back. The Suns lost at the buzzer at Minnesota on Sunday and find themselves trailing by three games. The Magic are one of the NBA’s hottest teams and have won their last five.

The Suns will play their fourth straight game without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal due to left calf injuries. The Magic’s leading scorer, Paolo Banchero (oblique), remains out and has been out since Oct. 31, but has 6-10 winger Franz Wagner, who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday.

Check azcentral for live updates of scores, highlights and stats during the Suns-Magic game.

Suns’ rookie Ighodaro makes his starting debut

Phoenix’s rookie big and hometown center Oso Ighodaro will start for the first time this season, replacing Durant (calf). Ighodaro opens the game with Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Ighodaro’s fellow rookie Ryan Dunn replacing Beal, and Mason Plumlee at center.