The Phoenix Suns seemed to be in cruise control with a lead of as much as 22 in the first half until it quickly evaporated and the Los Angeles Lakers came back to win 123-116 on Friday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Entering his second campaign with the Suns, Jusuf Nurkić worked hard in the offseason and slimmed down in weight, focused on having a career-year. He averaged 10.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 76 games (all starts) last season.
With Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant surrounding him in the starting lineup, the Bosnian has a prime opportunity to be yet another impact player on a championship-aspiring team. Nurkić is striving to shoot more 3-pointers this season than he has in the past, something that can go a long way to achieving success.
On Friday, however, he struggled and couldn’t break out of a rut he was in.
Against the Lakers, the 7-foot center scored just four points, turned the ball over four times, was a minus 19 on the court and had seven rebounds in only 18 minutes. He shot 1-for-5 from the field and 0-for-3 from three in the loss.
While he may have had an off-night individually, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer still trusts Nurkić and believes he will bounce back.
“He’s a player, he’s like everybody else. We’re trying to play with guys able to be in different spots. Everybody is learning something a little new, a little different. His size and length gives us an ability to do different things,” Budenholzer said. “With him defensively and offensively, he’s been great… I think Nurk is somebody that is capable of not just defending (Anthony) Davis but all of the good bigs and he gives us a presence in the paint. He’ll have his nights.”
Video Credit: Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
"He'll have his nights."
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer on Jusuf Nurkic, who finished with 4 points on 1-of-5 FGs, 4 turnovers and 4 fouls in 18 minutes.
Anthony Davis finished with 35 points. #Suns #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/fg6abCWT3I
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 26, 2024
Nurkić is averaging 20.5 minutes in two games this season, a dip from 27.5 last year. In the season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers, he collected 11 points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes.
Both eating into Nurkić’s playing time, Phoenix signed Mason Plumlee in the offseason as well as drafting Mesa native Oso Ighodaro with the No. 40 pick this year. Plumlee had six points, seven rebounds and a steal in 19 minutes and Ighodaro played six minutes vs. the Lakers.
It is early in the season and there are plenty of games still left on the schedule, so the Suns aren’t panicking and believe Nurkić can be a stable contributor. His size, defensive IQ, knack for a rebound and being a lob threat remains a key part of who he is and his ability to produce.
But with Budenholzer having two versatile options on his bench in the same position, things could get interesting if Nurkić continues to struggle. If the woes continue, does Budenholzer go to Plumlee who has started in his career and Nurkić goes to the bench or does Ighodaro play more?
Nurkić and the Suns will complete the second-half of a back-to-back when they host the Dallas Mavericks at 7 p.m. AZT.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
