Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters today that Devin Booker (right ankle soreness), Jusuf Nurkić (left middle finger), Grayson Allen (Achilles soreness) and Josh Okogie (hamstring tightness) are all out tomorrow for Phoenix’s preseason matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Booker was ruled out right before yesterday’s 109-91 loss to the Detroit Pistons with his injury, leaving rookie Ryan Dunn to start alongside Tyus Jones, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Mason Plumlee.
“It’s the preseason, there’s no reason to push just generally him, his ankle,” Budenholzer said of Booker postgame. “I think he’s going to be fine.”
Nurkić suffered his finger injury a week ago and will now have missed all four of the team’s preseason games so far. He was scheduled to be re-evaluated today.
“He’s making good progress,” Budenholzer said of Nurkić. “We feel good about it. He won’t play tomorrow, but we’re happy with how he’s progressing.”
(via The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin)
"He's making good progress."
Mike Budenholzer on Jusuf Nurkic, who hasn't played in preseason.
Budenholzer talked about Frank Kaminsky as Suns have open roster spot.
He said open spot provides flexibility later in season but Kaminsky is someone who can help win games. #Suns https://t.co/iELVypZ5Ib pic.twitter.com/dcWru2yjVP
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 12, 2024
This will be the third-straight game Allen will miss. He originally was out for personal reasons earlier this week, but Budenholzer said he now is dealing with Achilles soreness before Friday’s loss. Allen did warm up before the game.
Grayson Allen warming up before the #Suns take on the #Pistons in their preseason home opener. Allen is listed as out for tonight’s matchup due to personal reasons. However, coach Mike Budenholzer said he has Achilles soreness but feels good about where he’s at. pic.twitter.com/TuphovMEKe
— Burn City Suns ☀️ (@BurnCitySuns) October 12, 2024
Okogie headed to the locker room during the third quarter of Friday’s loss and did not return. Budenholzer said postgame that he was dealing with hamstring tightness. Okogie is the only one of these four players who doesn’t have a clear spot in the rotation after re-signing with Phoenix this offseason. He has averaged 6.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game through the Suns’ first three preseason games.
Budenholzer is looking forward to seeing how the other players step up with these four Suns out.
“Tomorrow, some of these other guys getting opportunities, and even last night, it is the silver lining of having guys that are injured,” Budenholzer said.
While the Suns (2-1) just played Friday, the Nuggets (0-2) have not played since last Sunday in Abu Dhabi, a loss to the Boston Celtics, so they will be much more rested than Phoenix for tomorrow night’s game in the Mile High City.
Pistons blow out Suns 109-91 in Phoenix’s preseason home opener
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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
