THE Phoenix Suns lastly performed a preseason sport with their beginning 5 of Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic in Thursday’s 128-122 time beyond regulation loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Higher late than by no means even in a match that does not depend within the standings.
Nurkic hadn’t performed your entire preseason as a consequence of a left center finger harm whereas Booker missed the earlier two preseason video games with proper ankle soreness.
All 5 starters reached double figures, with Booker scoring a team-high 22 factors. Durant scored 19 factors, Nurkic delivered 15, Beal added 13 and Jones added 11.
Anthony Davis and rookie Dalton Knecht every scored 35 factors to steer the Lakers.
The Lakers rested LeBron James, however the Suns handled it as a gown rehearsal forward of an everyday season that begins Oct. 23 on the Los Angeles Clippers.
That they had Booker, Durant, Beal and Jones nonetheless on the courtroom, together with huge backup Mason Plumlee, with lower than 5 minutes to play.
Listed below are three takeaways because the Suns could have 5 days between Thursday’s preseason finale and the Oct. 23 opener.
Nurkic debuts at grade B-
He undoubtedly weighs south of 290 kilos. Appears to be like like about 270, perhaps a bit lighter.
He stormed out of three as coach Mike Budenholzer requested. Hit his first, however Davis was cooking from 3-pointers off display and pop.
Davis hit 4 of his first 5 from 3 scoring 14 fast factors within the first. Davis is a matchup drawback for all bigs and Nurkic continues to wrestle to regulate him even with lighter toes.
Nurkic has by no means been the perfect in pick-and-roll protection, however he ought to enhance with taking part in time.
The 7-footer had a significantly better begin to the second half. He drove throughout the nation for a layup and dedicated the foul, scored inside and did a greater job guarding Davis, particularly on a Davis drive. He was booked for the foul, however his preliminary response was good in attempting to fulfill Davis on the rim.
Total, an honest to stable begin to 17 minutes of motion. Nurkic shot 6 of 11 from the sector, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two photographs, however was additionally referred to as for 3 fouls.
Combos
Budenholzer continues to have totally different lineups, which may turn into the norm. This can be a man who would knock Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the sport within the first quarter whereas teaching Milwaukee.
So once you see Booker heading to the bench first when he often performs a whole first quarter, do not be stunned.
Budenholzer’s lineups ranged from Beal being the one starter to Nurkic and rookie Oso Ighodaro on the courtroom collectively to Durant taking part in all three with two bigs on the courtroom.
He had confronted 11 guys within the first 18-19 minutes of the sport.
The query is, will the lineup mixes contain 9, 10, 11 or 12 guys? Grayson Allen was out with an Achilles soreness. He will certainly be within the rotation when wholesome.
Rookie Ryan Dunn needs to be within the combine. Budenholzer has choices, however what’s going to his minutes be for Booker, Durant and Beal? Booker in all probability would have performed greater than 28 minutes. He injured his proper ankle throughout a contested follow, however continued to play.
Durant performed 31 minutes and Beal noticed motion in 30. Control minutes consistency for the Huge 3, no matter how the sport performs out.
Scoring isn’t an issue, protection is
The Suns solely stopped on offense with turnovers, committing 15 that led to 13 factors for the Lakers.
Beal dedicated 5. He nonetheless hasn’t discovered a constant strategy to play and struggled defensively, committing 4 fouls and capturing 1-of-6 from 3.
Phoenix made simply 36 photographs from 3, making 12, however shot 47 % general. They nonetheless accrued 122 factors with out a lot on the three and giving up possessions. That’s how particular they are often on offense.
Defensively, it is a totally different story. As soon as once more, they lack measurement as proof by giving up 14 offensive rebounds and 21 second probability factors.
I at all times have hassle getting across the pick-and-roll as a result of it permits for open photographs. The Lakers additionally obtained some straight line drives to the rim.
Once more, it is preseason.
Do you could have any ideas on the present state of the Suns? Contact Suns insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Comply with him on X, previously Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
Assist native journalism. Begin your subscription on-line.
This text was initially revealed on Arizona Republic: Jusuf Nurkic, first grade, lineups: Suns takeaways from preseason finale
