Sports
Phoenix Suns Bench Jusuf Nurkic Amid Center Position Concerns
The Phoenix Suns have made a significant move early in the 2024-2025 NBA season by benching their starting center, Jusuf Nurkic. This decision comes just four games into the season, highlighting the team’s immediate concerns about their center position. In the latest game, Nurkic played only 10 minutes, while backup center Mason Plumlee saw 14 minutes of action.
Nurkic, who joined the Suns, has been projected to play a substantial role for the team. However, his recent performance has not aligned with these expectations. For the season, he was projected to average 25.6 minutes per game, along with 9.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Yet, in his last game against the Los Angeles Lakers, he managed only 4 points and 7 rebounds in limited playing time.
The benching of Nurkic has sparked discussions among fans and analysts about the team’s strategy and the potential need for roster adjustments. Some fans are even calling for the Suns to trade Nurkic, given his underwhelming start to the season.
Nurkic, a professional basketball player from Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been a key figure in the NBA, known for his skills as a center. His current situation with the Suns is being closely watched as the team seeks to find stability in their lineup).