Jusuf Nurkic is out, Mason Plumee starts for the Suns against Jazz

Jusuf Nurkic will miss the Phoenix Suns’ 2024 NBA Cup group stage opener against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday due to a left ankle injury.

Center Mason Plumlee is about to make his first start of the season.

The Jazz are also without starting center Walker Kessler due to hip pain. However, Utah will have defenseman Keyonte George after he appeared on the injury report with a foot sprain.

Nurkic was in the starting lineup but was ultimately sent off during the Suns’ loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. He was listed as questionable that evening with ankle soreness.

The center grabbed seven rebounds and a steal while going 0-for-4 from the field in 15 minutes of the first half before Plumlee started the second half.

Nurkic has had a difficult start to the year after missing pre-season with a finger injury.

In 10 games, the big man averaged 9.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field and 31% from 3-point land. He had put in a strong performance before Sunday with three double-double performances in a row.

Who will have to deal with the injured Jusuf Nurkic against the Jazz?

Against Sacramento, Plumlee finished with his most active performance of the season with six points, 11 rebounds and six assists over 26 minutes. He was part of a defensive effort that forced six turnovers on Kings center Domantas Sabonis, who was also fouled in the game that went into overtime.

Against Utah, where greats like Lauri Markkanen, John Collins and newcomer Kyle Filipowski are playing without Kessler, Phoenix will probably rely on second-round rookie Oso Ighodaro. Former Suns center Drew Eubanks is also on the roster.

Ighodaro played 10 minutes against Sacramento on Sunday and scored five points with two boards and an assist in 10 minutes.

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