By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Phoenix Suns dropping a seven-game winning streak despite Devin Booker scoring 62 points in Gainbridge Fieldhouse was accompanied by a couple of injury issues, including Bosnian center Jusuf Nurkic.
Nurkic, 29, registered two points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals over 20 minutes until leaving the game versus the Indiana Pacers on Friday. He reported multiple jams to his left thumb, relays Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. X-rays ruled out a fracture. With limited space for recovery, he is questionable to play against the Orlando Magic in the next edition of NBA Sundays.
Navigating his tenth campaign in the league based in North America after being traded to the Suns in September, the experienced center started in all of his 43 appearances throughout the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season, tallying 11.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals per contest. A solid campaign helped his side recover from a sluggish start and sneak into the playoff zone of the Western Conference.
Besides Nurkic, Bradley Beal hurt his nose in Indianapolis. On the injury list, Bol Bol (foot) and Damion Lee (knee) were ruled out for the meeting with the Pacers.
The team coached by Frank Vogel allowed the Pacers to draw a comeback win forcing them down to 26-19. Beyond the visit to Kia Center on Sunday, they continue away from home with fixtures opposite the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards until early February.
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