Jusuf Nurkic is out on Sunday and will be re-evaluated in a week for a finger injury

The first notable injury report for the Phoenix Suns was released this preseason. Starting center Jusuf Nurkic will miss tomorrow’s season opener against the Lakers.

He has been diagnosed with a left middle finger injury and will be re-evaluated in a week.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed the injury and said he was injured from scrimmage.

This opens the door for more playing time for Suns rookie big man Oso Ighodaro to shine in the Suns preseason. “Certainly, probably more opportunities for Oso (Ighodaro) which I think he took advantage of. He’s starting to understand what we want to do.”

Veterans Mason Plumlee and Frank Kaminsky will also see an uptick within a few minutes during this phase without Nurkic.

This doesn’t sound like a serious injury, but rather a precautionary approach by the team as they prepare for the grueling 82-game season.

Phoenix opens its 2024-25 preseason against the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. (AZ time) in Palm Springs, California.