The Phoenix Suns have won seven of their last nine games as they head into Monday night’s home game against the Los Angeles Clippers, who have also been strong, winning six of their past eight.
Despite the Suns’ recent success, there is tension between former starting center Jusuf Nurkic and coach Mike Budenholzer.
After the Suns’ win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday, Nurkic said that he and Budenholzer hadn’t spoken in two months and had “no relationship.”
Nurkic explained that his goal is to “just be a pro and do the best I can,” according to the Arizona Republic.
“Work and stay ready for whatever might be, but there is no chaos or bringing that to this team. They already have plenty of it. Trying to be as professional as I can and work my ass off for something else.”
Budenholzer responded that there has been communication between them but emphasized that playing time would go to those who earned it.
“There’s been communication, but you know, we got three or four guys who play the same position,” the coach said. “We’re going to go with who gives us our best chance. You’ve got to earn your minutes, and that’s been communicated.”
Nurkic hasn’t played in the last nine games, and the Suns have gone 7-2 during that stretch.
Phoenix also traded for Nick Richards from Charlotte on Jan. 15, and the 7-foot center has posted two double-doubles in his four games with the Suns, including 20 points and a career-high 19 rebounds in the 119-109 win over Washington.
“There are other things I have to step up on,” Richards said. “They have challenged me to do more.”
The Clippers, sitting sixth in the Western Conference, are starting a four-game road trip. They are coming off a 127-117 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.
Phoenix Suns players in the mid-breakJames Harden scored 40 points, and Norman Powell added 33 for the Clippers. Powell has thrived in a starting role this season, averaging a career-high 23.9 points per game.
“He puts in the work every single day to get better,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “The last four to five years, he has wanted to be a starter, and now he’s gotten his opportunity and has made the most of it.”
The Clippers boast the third-best defense in the NBA, allowing just 106.8 points per game. In their win on Saturday, they committed only seven turnovers, far below their season average of 16.2.
“It could be anybody’s night on this team if we’re playing ball the right way,” Lue said. “(On Saturday) it was James and Norm. I thought we did a great job handling the zone and getting some big shots.”
Phoenix defeated the Clippers twice in Los Angeles in October, winning by a combined nine points.
Kevin Durant leads the Suns with 27.2 points per game, followed by Devin Booker with 25.5.
“There were good spurts in the game and bad spurts,” Booker said after Saturday’s win. “I think our true tests are coming up this week. We’ve got to get ready for the Clippers on Monday.”
