Suns’ Changes In Middle Impacting Jusuf Nurkic The Most

January 12, 2025

The Suns are shaking things up, and center Jusuf Nurkic is the latest casualty of the team’s rotation changes.

After starting the first 23 games he appeared in, Nurkic found himself sidelined for the second consecutive game during Saturday’s win over Utah.

Coach Mike Budenholzer made the call earlier this week to switch up his starting five, and Nurkic has now lost his spot entirely. The minutes at center are now being split between Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro, with both players offering something different than what Nurkic brings to the table.

“He’s a pro,” Budenholzer said of Nurkic after the game, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “He’s got to be ready. Everybody is earning their minutes. Everybody is earning their opportunities. We’re going to need everybody as we go through the season.”

Despite his rebounding prowess — Nurkic remains the best rebounder of the group — the Suns gave up 21 offensive rebounds to Utah in his absence. Plumlee, who posted six points and 10 rebounds on Saturday, and Ighodaro, who chipped in nine points, two rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, offer the Suns a more mobile option.

Both players are better at keeping the ball moving and maintaining the offensive flow, which is a key reason they’re getting the nod over Nurkic right now.

As Ighodaro continues to impress, Devin Booker noted his energy contribution: “He’s bringing energy and that’s something we’ve been lacking the past couple of weeks.”

It’s clear that Ighodaro’s hustle has helped fill a gap that had been noticeable in recent games.

Meanwhile, the Suns’ offense is seeing some shifts as well. Booker has been running the point more frequently, and that’s meant a change in roles for Tyus Jones.

Known for his elite assist-to-turnover ratio, Jones has found himself in an off-ball role more often, and his minutes have decreased since returning from a one-game illness absence. What’s more, he’s no longer part of the team’s closing lineup.

The Suns have found success with Booker taking on more of the playmaking duties, and it seems likely that this new approach will continue going forward.