PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns will be without Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic for their game against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Allen is a new addition to the injury report due to personal reasons, while Nurkic has been sidelined for at least a week with a finger injury.
In the Suns’ preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, Allen played 21 minutes, contributing seven points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. With Nurkic out, Mason Plumlee stepped in as the starting center, recording four points and four rebounds in 14 minutes during the first half.
Second-round pick Oso Ighodaro logged the most minutes on the team, playing 27 to help fill the gap left by Nurkic. He scored 12 points, along with four rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block.
Allen, who started for Phoenix last season and led the NBA in three-point percentage, has shifted to a bench role with the addition of Tyus Jones. Despite the change, Allen remains focused on team success.
“He’s all about the right things,” said Suns coach Mike Budenholzer. “At the end of the day, it’s probably to bring somebody in to take his spot in the starting lineup. I think all Grayson cares about is winning.”
As for Nurkic, Budenholzer expects the big man to expand his shooting range this season.
“We’ve had intentional conversations with Nurk about adding more to his game, especially shooting threes,” Budenholzer said during Suns Media Day. “He’s done it before, and we’re going to push that further.”
The Suns are set to face the Pistons on Tuesday, with tip-off at 4:00 PM Phoenix time.
