The Phoenix Suns have Nick Richards to help address two glaring ills — rebounding and defense. The Suns are 25 th in rebounding and 22 nd in defensive rating. Not close to good enough for a team with championship aspirations.

The Phoenix Suns will be shorthanded on Thursday against the Washington Wizards, as they ruled out guard Bradley Beal with a left ankle sprain.

PHOENIX -- Newest Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards won't be suiting up tonight against the Washington Wizards. After being acquired Wednesday from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, Richards is listed on the injury report as out (not with team).

Even against the bottom of the barrel, you still see the Phoenix Suns' problems, as evidenced by their win over the Washington Wizards.

The Suns are still without Jusuf Nurkic, who has yet to join the team on this five-game road trip because he’s been out with the flu. He'll miss a third straight game on Thursday.

Much like his fans, Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant is excited for the acquisition of seven-foot center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. “He’s a strong presence in the paint,” Durant told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.

Devin Booker scored 37 points and Washington, D.C., native Kevin Durant added 23, fueling the visiting Phoenix Suns to a 130-123 wire-to-wire victory over the reeling Wizards on Thursday.