Oso

Ighodaro

Ighodaro’s absence, combined with Jusuf Nurkic serving the final game of his three-game suspension, leaves the Suns light on options in the post. Mason Plumlee will remain in the starting lineup and may have to play more than usual due to the absences.

Even with Jusuf Nurkic suspended, Ighodaro only played 17 minutes off the bench behind Mason Plumlee in Tuesday’s loss to the Grizzlies. Ighodaro doesn’t play enough to be fantasy relevant even if he’s available Saturday against the Pacers.

Plumlee started Saturday’s game for Jusuf Nurkic, who is serving a three-game suspension for fighting. While he didn’t offer much scoring value, not attempting a shot from the field, Plumlee’s rebounds, assists, and defensive stats were solid. As for the rotation behind him with Nurkic suspended, Oso Ighodaro played 20 minutes off the bench and finished with two points, six rebounds, one assist, and two steals. While the Suns only play two games in Week 10, Nurkic’s suspension makes Plumlee a worthwhile pickup in deep leagues.

Nurkic practiced fully on Wednesday, which was a good sign that he was progressing. Now, he’s officially been cleared to return to the lineup. He should take back over as the team’s starting center, which will eliminate any streaming value that Mason Plumlee or Oso Ighodaro held.

Plumlee didn’t do much as a scorer on Thursday, but the Suns didn’t need him to. The rebounds, assists, and blocks were fine as he started for the injured Jusuf Nurkic, but the few who streamed Plumlee took a hit in the free-throw percentage category. Oso Ighodaro, who started against the Spurs on Tuesday, finished Thursday’s loss with four points, two rebounds, and one assist in 20 minutes off the bench.

The Suns will be without Jusuf Nurkic (thigh) for at least one week, and Ighodaro was picked to fill the void in the starting lineup on Tuesday. While he didn’t block any shots, Oso did tally two steals on the night. The rebounding, or lack of it, was a bit disappointing, but the rookie didn’t do anything that would prohibit him from getting more opportunities to perform. Mason Plumlee played 18 minutes off the bench, finishing with six points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and four blocked shots. He’ll also have deep-league value while Nurkic sits, with the edge going to the player who starts.

While Bradley Beal is back in the lineup, the Suns will be without Nurkic (right thigh contusion) for at least one week. He’ll be replaced in the starting five by Ighodaro, who should be streamed until the Suns’ starting center returns. Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant complete the starting five.

Nurkic sat out Saturday with the injury, and it will cost him at least four more games. The Suns play Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and with Nurkic out, Oso Ighodaro should see a big bump in playing time. He’s worth streaming until Nurkic returns.

Plumlee replaced the injured Jusuf Nurkic in the starting lineup on Saturday, not providing much value beyond the rebounds and blocks. Rookie Oso Ighodaro figured more prominently in the rotation, logging 31 minutes and finishing with six points, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots. The Suns are off until Tuesday, which may be enough time for Nurkic to get back into the lineup. If so, Plumlee’s streaming value will be erased.

Nurkic is back after sitting out Monday’s loss to Orlando. His return likely means Oso Ighodaro will come off the bench, with his minutes being limited as the third center in Phoenix’s rotation. There’s no need to roster Ighodaro in redraft leagues with Nurkic active.