Devin Booker and Jusuf Nurkic returned for the Phoenix Suns in their final preseason game ahead of their season opener on Wednesday night. Booker had missed the previous two games with right ankle soreness, whilst Nurkic had not played at all with a finger injury.
The Suns lost 128-122 in overtime to the LA Lakers, but both players came through the game well and will be ready to go against the LA Clippers in their first game of the regular season.
Suns Handed Double Injury Boost in Final Preseason Game
Booker and Nurkic Return
It was the first time in this preseason that the Suns were able to play their starting five together, which was a welcome sight for head coach Mike Budenholzer.
The duo of Booker and Nurkic did not miss a beat as they put up 20 and 12 points, respectively, at the half. Booker ended with 22 and Nurkic with 15, with the latter showcasing his ability from deep. The need to shoot more threes has been heavily emphasised throughout preseason and training camp, particularly from Nurkic. He shot 2-4 on threes, adding to his seven rebounds and two blocks. Given he had been out for a while, Nurkic played just 16 minutes, but the team will be feeling good about his production ahead of the season. Budenholzer praised his center’s play following the game, saying, “He played like the Nurk I’ve been watching on film all summer.”
Mike Budenholzer on Jusuf Nurkic’s performance: “Made a couple 3s, had some deflections and steals, rebounds. He played like the Nurk I’ve been watching on film all summer.” pic.twitter.com/Xe4Zs9Ydc1
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) October 18, 2024
In total, the team shot 36 threes, continuing the trend of increasing their volume. They converted 12, with Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant particularly struggling, but the intent was there. Through five preseason games, the Suns have averaged 44 three-point attempts per game, which ranks 6th in the NBA.
There was a scare in the third quarter for Booker as he grabbed at his ankle in the third quarter after an awkward landing, but he was able to finish the game with no issues. Injuries were a problem for the Suns last season, especially for their big three. Booker missed 14 games, including two separate absences with right ankle sprains. He had been kept out during preseason as a precaution this time, and Budenholzer confirmed that his ankle is fine. Booker played 28 minutes and should have no restrictions going forward.
Allen and Okogie Still Out
Whilst they welcomed back Booker and Nurkic, the Suns were still without key bench pieces Grayson Allen and Josh Okogie for their final preseason outing. Allen has appeared in just one preseason game and is currently dealing with Achilles soreness. He has yet to participate in any basketball drills following the injury, meaning his status for the season opener is in doubt. He is a crucial player and is amongst the best three-point shooters in the league. Should he miss extended time, it will be a big loss for the Suns.
Okogie has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury he suffered against the Detroit Pistons. There is no recovery timeline for him yet, but his absence opens up the door to more playing time for rookie Ryan Dunn, who has hugely impressed in his outings so far. Dunn will be hoping to play a significant role when the Suns travel to face the Clippers in their first game of the 2024 NBA season on Wednesday.
