Oso

Ighodaro

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.

Nurkic did not play in Monday’s loss to Orlando, and rookie Oso Ighodaro moved into the starting lineup. The rookie played well against the Magic, and that may be enough to keep him in the lineup if Nurkic remains sidelined.

Due to Jusuf Nurkic sitting out Monday’s game with a sprained ankle, Ighodaro made his first career start. The second-round pick out of Marquette played well, shooting 75% from the field and accounting for seven rebounds and two steals. Ighodaro’s value moving forward depends on Nurkic’s availability, as the rookie will be difficult to roster in most leagues if he’s the third big in the rotation.

The Suns are without Jusuf Nurkic, who will not play due to a sprained left ankle. Ighodaro, who will make his first start as a professional, will fill the void. This a good opportunity for the rookie to provide deep-league value due to his ability to serve as a playmaker out of the short roll. The other four starters are unchanged from Sunday’s loss to Minnesota.

Nurkic will miss the second half of Phoenix’s back-to-back set, which means Oso Ighodaro could claim the starting center job Monday against the Magic. Ighodaro has averaged 8.5 points and 5.0 rebounds across 26.5 minutes over the Suns’ last two games, and the rookie could be in line for the most playing time of his young career in this one.

Ighodaro has played 21 minutes or more in three of his last four appearances, including 27 and 26 over the previous two. Jusuf Nurkic’s landing in early foul trouble impacted the rookie’s minutes on Sunday, so fantasy managers should not consider Ighodaro a factor. But there may be moments throughout the season when he’s worth the risk as a deep-league streamer.

After missing Tuesday’s win over the Jazz due to left ankle soreness, Nurkic started and played 22 minutes on Wednesday. However, the injury designation has been changed from soreness to a sprain, which is somewhat concerning. If Nurkic cannot play, Mason Plumlee moves into the starting lineup, and Oso Ighodaro will crack the rotation

Nurkic is back after a one-game absence, so Mason Plumlee will return to the bench. Plumlee is not worth rostering in this spot, nor is rookie Oso Ighodaro, who grabbed 12 rebounds on Tuesday.

While Mason Plumlee was the starter with Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) unable to play, this also moved Ighodaro into the rotation. While the rookie didn’t score much, the rebounds and blocks will undoubtedly play in fantasy basketball. There’s no need to add Ighodaro in redraft leagues, even if Nurkic cannot play in Wednesday’s game against the Kings. However, he should be rostered in dynasty leagues.

The Suns scrimmaged on Tuesday, but Nurkis was one of the players who did not participate. He still has not been cleared to begin basketball work, which casts some doubt on Nurk’s availability for the start of the regular season. If Nurkic isn’t cleared to play by next Wednesday, Mason Plumlee should remain the starter while rookie Oso Ighodaro picks up a few minutes off the bench.