Chaos In Phoenix As Two Suns Starters are Benched
The Phoenix Suns' freefall continues. They have lost seven of their last eight games, and insider Chris Haynes is reporting on "tension in the locker room" as players are confused about their roles.
Both Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic have now been benched—removed from the starting lineup going forward.
“Now, there's also tension in that locker room… I'm told certain players are unsure of their roles and frustrated about how they are being used… So this situation will be something to monitor moving forward.”
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 6, 2025
— @ChrisBHaynes on the Suns benching Nurkic and Beal pic.twitter.com/QtG9OJbQrU
Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee have replaced Beal and Nurkic as starters. Nurkic returns to the team on Monday after a three-game suspension for an altercation in Phoenix's Dec. 27 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Both Beal and Nurkic have started every game of their career since the 2016-17 season.
“Now, there's also tension in that locker room," reports Haynes. "I'm told certain players are unsure of their roles and frustrated about how they are being used… So this situation will be something to monitor moving forward.”
Both new members of the bench unit are having terrible seasons. Nurkic is averaging only 8.8 points (down from his career mark of 12.0 ppg), while Beal's on-off metrics have been absolutely dreadful for the Suns, who are a much better team with Beal on the bench.
The Suns are a top 10 team this season when Bradley Beal is off the court compared to one of the worst when he’s playing:
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 5, 2025
Beal Off = +3.3 NetRtg (9th)
Beal On = -9.3 NetRtg (28th)
It’s obvious Beal doesn’t fit at all in Phoenix, but his contract has tanked any real trade value. pic.twitter.com/QG18rFSRSI
Superstar Devin Booker spoke of the depressing environment around the team right now.
Devin Booker on the Suns 4-game losing streak:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 6, 2025
“S***, the vibes are low, man.”
(via @DuaneRankin) pic.twitter.com/l1mj0C6Th6
“S***, the vibes are low, man.”
And it certainly doesn't seem like Jimmy Butler is coming to rescue, either.
Photo: © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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