Nurkic logged 10 points (4-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 26 minutes during Sunday's 116-109 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Nurkic delivered an impressive performance on both ends of the court Sunday and recorded his first double-double since Nov. 26, although it must be noted he also missed five games between Nov. 30 and Dec. 8 due to a thigh problem. Nurkic might hold a secondary role on offense behind the Suns' Big Three, but he can get the job done on both ends of the court when needed. This was his seventh double-double of the season.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Productive in big minutes in return
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Nurkic (thigh) turned in 12 points (6-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), seven rebounds, three blocks and one steal across 31 minutes in Friday's 134-126 win over the Jazz.
Nurkic reclaimed his spot in the starting five after missing the last five games, initially due to a left ankle sprain and then due to a right thigh contusion. He faced no restrictions in his return, clearing the 30-minute mark while setting a new season high with three blocks. Nurkic's health has been shaky this season and his minutes have been volatile, but if he can replicate Friday's line with any sort of regularity, he'll be worthy of a roster spot in 12-team points and category leagues.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Off injury report for Friday
Rotowire
Nurkic (thigh) is off the injury report for Friday's game against Utah.
Nurkic is slated to return from a five-game absence due to a left ankle sprain and a right thigh contusion. The big man has averaged 8.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 24.0 minutes per contest over his last five outings.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Out at least one week
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The Suns announced Monday that Nurkic will be re-evaluated in one week due to a right thigh contusion, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Nurkic had previously been battling a left ankle sprain before missing Saturday's win over the Warriors due to an injury that had previously been labeled as a quadricep contusion. He'll now sit out at least the Suns' next four games before getting re-examined. Oso Ighodaro and Mason Plumlee will likely cover nearly all the minutes at center while Nurkic is sidelined. Through 16 games this season, Nurkic is shooting 42 percent from the field and holds averages of 8.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 three-pointers, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks in 24.1 minutes.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Out Saturday with quad contusion
Rotowire
Nurkic has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors due to a right quadricep contusion.
A left ankle sprain was behind Nurkic's other two absences earlier this month, but the quad issue is a new concern for the center. Head coach Mike Budenholzer had previously labeled Nurkic as probable for Saturday's game following Friday's practice, but the 30-year-old big man evidently didn't heal up as quickly as the Suns anticipated. Look for Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro to cover most of the minutes at center Saturday while Nurkic sits and turns his focus toward getting ready for Tuesday's matchup with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Questionable to play Saturday
Rotowire
Nurkic (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Warriors, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer said after Friday's practice that Nurkic and Bradley Beal (calf) are probable for Saturday's game, though Nurkic is by no means a lock to play. If Nurkic is sidelined, Oso Ighodaro or Mason Plumlee would be the top candidates to enter the Suns' starting lineup.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Likely to play Saturday
Rotowire
Nurkic (ankle) is probable for Saturday's game versus the Warriors, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Despite continuing to deal with a nagging ankle injury, Nurkic is expected to make his fourth straight appearance Saturday. Across his last five outings, Nurkic is averaging 8.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24.0 minutes.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Brings down double-double in loss
Rotowire
Nurkic had 14 points (5-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and three steals over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 138-122 loss to the Knicks.
Nurkic held his own despite an enormous night from Karl-Anthony Towns in the paint. The Suns are relieved to have one of their impact players off the injury report after he joined Kevin Durant (calf) and Bradley Beal (calf) on the sidelines twice over the past week. Nurkic's 2024-25 campaign has been a mixed bag, as he's performing slightly below last season's averages in every major category. Field-goal percentage is the most glaring shortcoming, as his 40.4 percent conversion rate is the lowest of his career, and a full 11 percentage points behind his 2023-24 average.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Returning to action Wednesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (ankle) has been cleared for Wednesday's game against New York, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Nurkic will return after missing two of Phoenix's last five games due to a nagging ankle injury. Mason Plumlee has filled in admirably as a rebounder while earning a plus-6.5 net rating on the season, so there's no guarantee that Nurkic will exceed the 23.7 minutes he has averaged across his 13 appearances this year.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Questionable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.
Nurkic continues to deal with a left ankle sprain, and after missing the game against the Magic on Monday, he'll be a game-time call for Wednesday's contest. If Nurkic can't go, then Oso Ighodaro and Mason Plumlee would be in line to see more minutes in a depleted Suns frontcourt.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Listed out Monday
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Nurkic (ankle) is listed as out for Monday's game against Orlando.
After three straight appearances for the Suns, Nurkic will be held out with a left ankle sprain, something that continues to pop up. With Nurkic on the shelf, this will be a big opportunity for Oso Ighodaro to step up for the Suns after a strong performance Sunday against the Timberwolves. Mason Plumlee started at power forward during that contest but will likely slide over to center in Nurkic's absence.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Upgraded to available
Rotowire
Nurkic (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves, Amanda Pflugrad of 3TV Phoenix reports.
As expected, Nurkic has been upgraded from probable to available and will suit up for a third consecutive contest following a one-game absence. Over his last two appearances, Nurkic has averaged 3.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 25.5 minutes per game.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Probable for Sunday
Rotowire
Nurkic is probable for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves due to a left ankle sprain.
Nurkic has been bothered by a left ankle sprain over the last few days. Even though the injury hasn't prevented the big man from suiting up outside of the Nov. 12 win over the Jazz, it has certainly impacted his play. Nurkic is averaging a mere 2.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in his last three contests.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Getting green light
Rotowire
Nurkic (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Thunder, Nick Gallo of the Thunder's official site reports.
Nurkic has been upgraded from questionable to available and will suit up for a second straight contest after a one-game absence due to the ankle issue. He posted three points, 11 rebounds, one assist and three steals in 22 minutes during Wednesday's loss to the Kings.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Iffy for Friday vs. OKC
Rotowire
Nurkic is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Thunder due to a left ankle sprain.
Nurkic missed Tuesday's win over Utah due to the lingering ankle injury, though he was able to suit up in the second leg of the back-to-back set in Wednesday's loss to the Kings. If the big man is unable to suit up Friday, Mason Plumlee will likely get the starting nod with Oso Ighodaro receiving an uptick in playing time off the bench.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Good to go Wednesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (ankle) was removed from the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game versus Sacramento.
Nurkic was sidelined for Tuesday's win over the Jazz due to left ankle soreness after aggravating the injury in Sunday's loss to the Kings. His absence from the front end of the back-to-back set Tuesday may have been for maintenance purposes more than anything else, but Nurkic could still have his playing time monitored closely as he returns to action Wednesday.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Ruled out Tuesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (ankle) has been ruled out of Tuesday's game against the Jazz, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Nurkic will miss the Suns' first NBA Cup matchup due to left ankle soreness. The big man aggravated the injury during Sunday's loss to the Kings, and he should be considered questionable for the second leg of the back-to-back set as the team plays the Kings on Wednesday.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Iffy for Tuesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (ankle) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against Utah, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Nurkic aggravated a left ankle injury during the Sun's 127-118 loss to the Kings on Sunday. If Nurkic is unable to play Tuesday, Mason Plumlee would likely get the start at center while Royce O'Neale and sees an uptick in minutes off the bench.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Nurkic will not return to Sunday's game against the Kings due to an ankle injury, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Nurkic came into the game with an ankle injury which he seemingly aggravated before being ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Nurkic will finish with zero points (0-4 FG, 0-3 3Pt), seven rebounds and one steal in 15 minutes of action.
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Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Available Sunday
Rotowire
Nurkic (ankle) will play during Sunday's game against the Kings.
Nurkic carried a questionable tag into Sunday's game due to left ankle soreness, but he will be able to play through the injury. Nurkic holds averages of 13.3 points, 14.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 29.8 minutes per game over his last four contests.
