Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer stated Saturday that Devin Booker (proper ankle soreness), Jusuf Nurkic (left center finger), Grayson Allen (Achilles soreness) and Josh Okogie (hamstring tightness) will probably be all out for Sunday’s preseason sport in opposition to the Denver Nuggets.
“Tomorrow, a few of these different guys may have alternatives, and even final evening, that is the optimistic facet of getting guys injured,” Budenholzer stated Saturday.
Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer stated there’s “no motive to push” Devin Booker into Friday’s preseason sport in opposition to Detroit: pic.twitter.com/Vzi4ZvRJS5
– Arizona Sports activities (@AZSports) October 12, 2024
“I imply, it’s preseason. It’s simply, there’s no motive to push his ankle on the whole,” Budenholzer stated of Booker’s postgame Friday after Suns’ preseason loss to Detroit Pistons. “I believe he’ll be advantageous.”
Reserver was additionally excluded on Friday in opposition to the Pistons on account of proper ankle soreness. Booker performed 22 minutes in Tuesday’s preseason win in opposition to the Pistons in East Lansing and 14 minutes in Sunday’s preseason opener in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers. Booker is averaging 11.0 factors, 1.5 rebounds and three assists through the preseason.
Nurkic has but to play within the preseason, however he continues to inch nearer to a return.
“He’s making good progress,” Budenholzer stated Saturday of Nurkic’s standing. “We really feel good. He will not play tomorrow, however we’re glad together with his progress.
Allen will probably be out for the third straight preseason sport. He missed Tuesday’s win in Detroit for private causes (his spouse is anticipating to offer delivery to their first baby), however is now coping with an Achilles drawback.
Okogie left Friday’s sport within the third quarter with a “hamstring pressure” and didn’t return. In three preseason video games, Okogie is averaging 6.3 factors, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and one steal in 14.3 minutes.
“I believe we’ll have a look at him, consider him,” Budenholzer stated of Okogie after Friday’s loss. “I believe there’s just a few hamstring consciousness, hamstring tightness, so we’ll see the way it feels within the morning.”
The Suns will play two extra preseason video games, a highway sport Sunday in opposition to the Nuggets earlier than the preseason finale at house Thursday in opposition to the Lakers.
The common season begins on October 23 when the Suns journey to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Nuggets begins at 5:30 p.m. on 98.7 and on the Arizona Sports activities app.
