One of the more overlooked members of the Phoenix Suns’ all-star roster so far during the 2023-24 NBA season has been center Jusuf Nurkic, who was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers last offseason as a replica of the Damian Lillard trade. Nurkic was a solid presence around the basket for the Suns this season, including recently posting an incredible stat line of 30 (!) rebounds in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Thursday night, the Suns hit the road in Boston to face the Celtics. in a revenge of last Saturday’s loss in the desert, and in doing so, Nurkic made history by recording his sixth game this year with at least 15 rebounds and five assists, which is the most in such games in a single season since franchise legend Charles Barkley, by StatMuse on X.
Barkley is of course remembered as arguably the best player in team history, although Steve Nash might have some reservations about that statement. Still, the fact that he’s been able to fill up the stat sheet with such consistency this season is a testament not only to Nurkic’s skill but also willingness, filling in the gaps left by stars Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker (that is, in the rare cases where all three are on the ground).
Regardless, Nurkic and the Suns will next take the floor and continue their final Eastern Conference road trip of the season Friday night in Charlotte against the Hornets.
