Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer explains his reasoning behind starting Mason Plumlee over a benched Jusuf Nurkic

The Phoenix Suns are facing reality. According to veteran NBA reporter Chris Haynes, Phoenix is benching starters Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkić after losing seven of their past eight games, a stretch that has lowered their record to 15-18.

Amid a spiral down the Western Conference standings, the Phoenix Suns made a drastic lineup change ahead of Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, sending Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkić to bench.

He was suspended three games without pay after a fight with two Dallas Mavericks players that led to all three being ejected in a Dec. 27 game at Footprint Center in Phoenix. Nurkic came off the bench for the first time since his third NBA season when returning to the team from suspension for Monday’s game at Philadelphia.

Amid a four-game skid, the Phoenix Suns are reportedly set to make some major changes to their lineup. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Suns

The slumping Suns (15-18) — who have won only three games since the start of December — are set to bench veteran starters Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic in favor of Mason Plumlee and rookie Ryan Dunn. The Suns reportedly decided on the roster changes after dropping their fourth straight game to the Pacers on Sunday night.

That is leading to a lineup shakeup starting Monday night against Philadelphia — Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic are going to the bench while rookie Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee are moving into the ...

Bradley Beal rang up 25 points for the second time in his three games coming off the bench to lead the Suns. Kevin Durant scored 23 points as did Grayson Allen off the bench while Devin Booker posted a double-double of 20 points and 12 assists to just two turnovers in 40 minutes.

Phoenix is benching starters Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkić after losing seven of their past eight games, a stretch that has lowered their record to 15-18. Rookie wing Ryan Dunn and veteran big ...

sending Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkić to bench. Mason Plumlee and rookie Ryan Dunn took their places in the starting lineup. For the first 24 minutes Monday night, the move did not yield results.

The 27-year-old Richards, who is averaging 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season, could be the Suns' new starting center.

Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer addressed the loss to the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday night by discussing their size issues.