JUSUF NURKIC NEWS

Jusuf Nurkic working out, remaining professional despite Phoenix Suns not playing him Jusuf Nurkic last played for the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 7 at Charlotte.

FEBRUARY 4 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Suns' Jusuf Nurkić: I 'don't have a relationship' with HC Mike Budenholzer

Suns center Jusuf Nurkić said he and head coach Mike Budenholzer "don't have a relationship" in the aftermath of his benching.

JANUARY 26

Suns playing better basketball with former starter Jusuf Nurkic buried deep on the bench

Things are looking up for the Phoenix Suns on the basketball court these days

JANUARY 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jusuf Nurkic available, but will he play with Nick Richards now starting for Phoenix Suns? The Phoenix Suns begin their three-game homestand Saturday against the Washington Wizards.

JANUARY 25 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Good to go Saturday Nurkic (conditioning) is available for Saturday's game versus the Wizards, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Nurkic is set to return Saturday after missing Phoenix's previous seven outings due to an illness and subsequent return-to-play conditioning. Nurkic will likely compete for backup center minutes with Mason Plumlee behind Nick Richards against Washington.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Goes through practice Friday Nurkic (conditioning) participated in Friday's practice, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact Nurkic has missed Phoenix's last seven contests due to an illness and then return-to-play conditioning. However, the veteran big man's return to practice is a good sign of his availability for Saturday's game versus the Wizards.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Washington visits Phoenix, looks to break road losing streak

Washington will aim to end its 18-game road slide when the Wizards play Phoenix

JANUARY 24 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brooklyn faces Phoenix on home slide

Brooklyn is looking to stop its 8-game home skid with a win against Phoenix

JANUARY 22 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Still out Wednesday Nurkic (conditioning) is out for Wednesday's game against the Nets.

Impact After Nurkic missed seven consecutive games with an illness, the Suns are now listing him as out due to return-to-play conditioning. His next chance to return comes Saturday against the Wizards, although it's unclear how he'll mix into Phoenix's rotation once healthy. Nick Richards has taken over as the team's new starting center, and veteran Mason Plumlee should work as the backup big man until Nurkic is cleared to play.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Monday Nurkic (illness) will not play Monday against the Cavaliers.

Impact Nurkic will be sidelined for a seventh straight game Monday. He lost his rotation spot prior to the illness, and the Suns are likely to roll with Nick Richards as their first-choice center going forward.

JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Cavaliers host the Suns in cross-conference contest

Phoenix takes on Cleveland for a non-conference matchup

JANUARY 19 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remains out Saturday Nurkic (illness) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Pistons.

Impact Nurkic will miss a sixth straight game for the Suns as he battles an illness. With the veteran big man still sidelined, the newly acquired Nick Richards could get some of his minutes along with fellow veteran big Mason Plumlee.

JANUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Cunningham and Detroit take on Phoenix in non-conference action

The Detroit Pistons take on the Phoenix Suns in non-conference action

JANUARY 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Suns tried including Jusuf Nurkic in Nicks Richards trade; eyed Cody Martin Phoenix was looking to include center Jusuf Nurkic in the trade talks for Richards and coveted Hornets swingman Cody Martin, league sources...

JANUARY 16 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Listed as out for Thursday Nurkic (illness) is out for Thursday's game against the Wizards.

Impact After the Suns acquired Nick Richards in a trade with the Hornets on Wednesday, Nurkic's fantasy stock continues to plummet. Nurkic's next chance to play comes Saturday against Detroit, although it's unclear what kind of role he'll have upon returning. If Richards isn't able to join Phoenix's rotation in time for Thursday, Mason Plumlee should continue starting at center against Washington.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Washington takes on Phoenix, seeks to end 7-game slide

Washington aims to break its seven-game skid when the Washington Wizards play Phoenix

JANUARY 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Suns Solve Jusuf Nurkic Dilemma in Mock Trade for $15 Million Center Jusuf Nurkic is expected to be traded before the deadline, but the Suns don’t have many options.

JANUARY 14 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Draymond Green Has Petty, On-Brand Response to Jusuf Nurkic's Recent NBA Suspension The bad blood between the two dates back to last December.

JANUARY 14 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Could miss more time with illness Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer said prior to Sunday's 120-113 win over the Hornets that Nurkic is dealing with the flu and isn't expected to travel with the team for the start of...

Impact Nurkic is should be considered doubtful for Tuesday until the Suns provide an official update, though the veteran center had went unused in coach's decisions in Phoenix's previous two games before missing Sunday's contest with the illness. Budenholzer suggested that Nurkic could rejoin the Suns at some point during the trip, but unless Mason Plumlee or Oso Ighodaro miss time, Nurkic looks as though he'll remain outside of the rotation.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with illness Nurkic won't play Sunday against the Hornets due to an illness.

Impact Nurkic has been benched and taken out of the rotation completely since returning from a three-game suspension, so his absence Sunday shouldn't impact Phoenix's current rotation. Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro will continue to split minutes at center for the foreseeable future.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Booker scores 34, Suns never trail in defeating Jazz 114-106

Devin Booker scored 34 points and the Phoenix Suns never trailed in a 114-106 victory over the Utah Jazz Saturday

JANUARY 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Suns and their Big 3 are struggling. There aren't many easy solutions to their problems

The Phoenix Suns currently employ one of the best scorers in NBA history, a four-time All-Star, a three-time All-Star, a coach who has won a championship and several veteran, accom...

JANUARY 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falls out of rotation Nurkic didn't play during Thursday's 123-115 win over the Hawks.

Impact Despite being available for Thursday's contest, Nurkic failed to log any playing time. Since returning from his three-game suspension, the 30-year-old center has been removed from the starting lineup and has now fallen out of the rotation altogether. Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro soaked up all of the center minutes against Atlanta, and it will be worth monitoring to see if this trend continues.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

What we learned: Four Suns score at least 20 in win, Jusuf Nurkic stays on bench Phoenix Suns rebound from loss at lowly Charlotte to top Atlanta Hawks at Footprint Center.

JANUARY 10 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Rough outing in win Nurkic provided five points (1-2 FG, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds and one assist over 14 minutes during Monday's 109-99 victory over the 76ers.

Impact After returning from suspension and being demoted to the bench, Nurkic didn't do much to make a case to get back in the starting lineup or get more minutes for the Suns. Nurkic took on only two shots against the 76ers, finishing with five points in 14 minutes, and there's no telling what kind of role he'll have on this team moving forward.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE