Jusuf Nurkic of the Suns is dealing with a finger injury and needs to be reevaluated

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic will be re-evaluated in a week for a left middle finger injury, the team said Saturday.

Nurkic is out for Phoenix’s preseason opener Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert.

The seven-footer is entering his second season with the Suns after joining the team via the Damian Lillard trade that sent Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers and Grayson Allen to Phoenix along with Nurkic.

Last season he played in 76 games, averaging 27.3 minutes, 10.9 points and 11 rebounds. four assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

At Suns Media Day, Nurkic said Wolf & Luke from Arizona Sports He was looking forward to shooting more threes after shooting 1.2 per game in the 2023-24 season.

First-year head coach Mike Budenholzer has already announced his starting lineup, which includes Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and newcomer Tyus Jones as well as Nurkic at center.

Budenholzer told reporters Saturday that Nurkic suffered the injury while scrimmaging. Nurkic struggled with wear and tear last year that led to several injuries, including a sprained left thumb in January.

Phoenix signed veteran center Mason Plumlee to back up Nurkic this offseason, also signed Marquette big man Oso Ighodaro and brought back Bol Bol.

The Suns have five preseason games scheduled before the opening game on October 23rd at the Los Angeles Clippers.

Sunday’s opening tip is at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN 620 AM and the Arizona Sports App.

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