“Jusuf Nurkic’s Injury Sidelines Suns as Team Embraces Next-Man-Up Mentality”
On Saturday, Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic suffered an injury to his left middle finger, ruling him out for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He will be re-evaluated in a week. After practice, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer kept his comments brief regarding Nurkic’s condition.
“We’ll assess how he progresses in the coming days and hope for the best,” Budenholzer stated.
This setback is significant for the Suns, who completed training camp without injuries. Now, they must face three preseason games without their starting center. While the focus is often on the Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, Nurkic’s contributions are equally vital.
His rebounding, toughness, and physical presence are essential for this talented Suns squad. With Nurkic out, the team will adopt a next-man-up approach. Budenholzer noted that Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighadoro have been making the most of their additional playing time.
“In training camp, we mix up the groups and everyone gets a chance to play, but now there are likely more opportunities for Oso, which he’s been taking advantage of,” Budenholzer explained. “He’s becoming more comfortable with our system. It’s beneficial for both Plumlee and Ighadoro to gain experience, especially since they haven’t played much with the returning players.”