Entering tonight’s big matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder, it was uncertain if either Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Jusuf Nurkić would play.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Gilgeous-Alexander is out, while Nurkić will play after originally being a game-time decision.
Tonight's @BannerHealth Health Update: pic.twitter.com/I0CwV6EYIU
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 29, 2024
Gilgeous-Alexander, who many consider to be a top-3 MVP candidate, was listed as doubtful after he missed Wednesday’s 132-126 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets with a right quad contusion. The Thunder (50-22) fell to 1-2 when Gilgeous-Alexander is not available.
Nurkić was questionable with a right ankle sprain after he missed Wednesday’s 104-97 win over the Denver Nuggets with the injury, the first time Phoenix (43-30) has won without Nurkić this season (were previously 0-4). Drew Eubanks started in his place, while Thaddeus Young came off the bench and did extremely well in his first real minutes with Phoenix.
Nurkić hurt himself by stepping on the foot of Jeremy Sochan in the third quarter of Monday’s 104-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Nurkic rolled his ankle on Sochans foot here pic.twitter.com/3tZPRQJQlu
— Cage (@ridiculouscage) March 26, 2024
In the last meeting against the Thunder on March 3, Nurkić recorded 31 rebounds, the most in Suns’ franchise history and in the NBA since 2010, but Phoenix fell 118-110. Gilgeous-Alexander stuffed the stat sheet with 35 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks to lead OKC to victory.
Tonight’s game tips off at 5 p.m. MST from Oklahoma City. This will be the final meeting of the season between these teams, as OKC has gone 2-0 against Phoenix so far with both wins coming on the road.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
