{"id":101792,"date":"2024-10-18T09:17:54","date_gmt":"2024-10-18T13:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=101792"},"modified":"2024-10-18T09:17:54","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T13:17:54","slug":"suns-handed-double-injury-boost-in-final-preseason-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/18\/suns-handed-double-injury-boost-in-final-preseason-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Suns Handed Double Injury Boost in Final Preseason Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Devin Booker<\/a> and Jusuf Nurkic<\/a> returned for the Phoenix Suns<\/a> in their final preseason game ahead of their season opener on Wednesday night.\u00a0 Booker had missed the previous two games with right ankle soreness, whilst Nurkic had not played at all with a finger injury.<\/p>\n

The Suns lost 128-122<\/a> in overtime to the LA Lakers<\/a>, but both players came through the game well and will be ready to go against the LA Clippers<\/a> in their first game of the regular season.<\/p>\n

Suns Handed Double Injury Boost in Final Preseason Game<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Booker and Nurkic Return<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The duo of Booker and Nurkic did not miss a beat as they put up 20 and 12 points, respectively, at the half.\u00a0 Booker ended with 22 and Nurkic with 15, with the latter showcasing his ability from deep.\u00a0 The need to shoot more threes has been heavily emphasised throughout preseason and training camp, particularly from Nurkic.\u00a0 He shot 2-4 on threes, adding to his seven rebounds and two blocks.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Budenholzer praised his center\u2019s play following the game, saying, “He played like the Nurk I\u2019ve been watching on film all summer.”<\/p>\n

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Mike Budenholzer on Jusuf Nurkic\u2019s performance: \u201cMade a couple 3s, had some deflections and steals, rebounds. He played like the Nurk I\u2019ve been watching on film all summer.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/Xe4Zs9Ydc1<\/a><\/p>\n

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) October 18, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n