Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, who has a right calf strain, is out for the fifth straight game.

Suns guard Bradley Beal was listed as probable. He will play his third game Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Ahead of Sunday's game, the Suns revealed they will start guard Josh Okogie, who is likely to defend 2022-23 first-team All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Wing Keita Bates-Diop, who is a taller player and has a 7-foot-3 wingspan, averaged 7.8 points and shot 35.3 percent from 3-point range as a starter the last four games.

Beal in the Suns' 122-119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers was very impressive with 20 first-half points. He shot 7-of-10 in the first two quarters but struggled more in the second half, when he and the Suns had to respond to a third-quarter surge from the Lakers and an eventual 16-2 fourth-quarter start.

“He is getting his legs under him,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said pregame. “He is one of the best players in the league and is extremely dynamic when he is right. Each game he gets a little bit stronger.”

Beal had 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting, four rebounds and two assists.

Booker is missing his ninth game of the year. The Suns are also without guard Eric Gordon, who is out for Sunday's game due to left shoulder soreness.

Phoenix will force Beal, forward Kevin Durant and starting guard Grayson Allen to handle the basketball.

The Suns are expected to have their best-ever team on the floor in the 2023-24 year, but they are 4-5. Phoenix is yet to have its big 3 of Booker, Durant and Beal on the floor since the preseason.

“I know when it comes together, it is going to be great,” Vogel said. “It is like you are building a house and you are frustrated with how long it is taking, and they are not reaching the deadlines. But you keep saying, ‘When it is done, it is going to be great.’ Focusing on the guys that we have in uniform right now.”

Booker is expected to be the Suns' playmaker when he returns. In two games, Booker is averaging 10.5 assists.

The Suns play the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are 5-4 and one of the best young teams. The Thunder have Gilgeous-Alexander and rookie Chet Holmgren, who is competing with the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year.

The game will tip off at 6 p.m. PT.