Phoenix Suns starting center Jusuf Nurkić is out for tomorrow’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers with a left middle finger injury and will be re-evaluated in one week.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“We’ll just evaluate, see how he feels the next few days and hope for the best,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said after practice Saturday, adding that Nurkić injured himself during a scrimmage.
#Suns center Jusuf Nurkić is out tomorrow with a left middle finger injury and will be re-evaluated in one week. @BurnCitySuns
— Brendan Mau (@brendan_mau) October 5, 2024
Nurkić’s injury will allow for more playing time for veteran free-agency addition Mason Plumlee and second-round rookie Oso Ighodaro.
“Certainly, probably more opportunities for Oso, which I think he’s taken advantage of,” Budenholzer said of the impact of Nurkić’s injury. “He’s getting comfortable understanding what we want to do. Both of them (Plumlee and Ighodaro), it’s good for them to get the reps especially will all the guys that are returning that they haven’t played with.”
Ighodaro said his approach to the preseason with Nurkić’s injury is the same as it was for Summer League, training camp and pickup.
“Just trying to lock in, grow,” Ighodaro said. “I know my strengths, just try to press those on the court. Play hard and just listen. Whatever the older guys and the coaches have for me, just to do it.”
Outside of Nurkić, Budenholzer didn’t have a specific amount of time the Suns’ starters would play tomorrow, but did say: “We’ll see how everybody came out of practice, but we expect everyone else to be available.”
Mike Budenholzer on who will be available tomorrow against the #Lakers:
“We’ll see how everybody came out of practice, but we expect everyone else to be available.”
Added that between now and tomorrow, they will come up with a game plan for their approach to the preseason.#Suns https://t.co/C0Uct3GEZZ
— Burn City Suns ☀️ (@BurnCitySuns) October 5, 2024
The Suns acquired the 30-year-old Nurkić from the Portland Trail Blazers on Sept. 27 last year, in a deal where they sent out Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara and also received Nassir Little and Grayson Allen. Nurkić had the best plus/minus on the Suns in his first season at +5.3 and had multiple games of 20-plus rebounds. Across 76 games played (all starts), the 7-footer averaged 10.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 27.3 minutes per game.
This offseason, Nurkić slimmed down a lot and worked a lot on his 3-point shot, something Budenholzer wants him to add to the offense this season.
Nurkić was looking forward to the start of training camp at the team’s media day on Monday.
“Coming in lighter, moving better,” Nurkić said. “My No. 1 one goal was just getting healthier, and I was dealing with so much through the last season. But overall, I’m really in a great spot, probably the best I’ve been in a long time and (with) family situation, everything. Looking forward (to) a great year. Personally, for me, the best one.”
Jusuf Nurkić on attempting more 3s under Mike Budenholzer and slimming down this offseason.
“I’m really in a great spot, probably the best I’ve been in a long time.” #Suns https://t.co/nxxYBTYodE pic.twitter.com/rHDlPXaJDW
— Burn City Suns ☀️ (@BurnCitySuns) September 30, 2024
Tomorrow’s game between the Lakers and Suns tips off at 6:30 p.m. MST at the Ariscure Arena in Palm Desert, California.
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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
