Mike Budenholzer discusses his decision to play Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodaro over Jusuf Nurkic, emphasizing that every player is earning their minutes as the Suns experiment with lineups to improve consistency during a tough season.
Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer recently made headlines by adjusting his team's rotation, opting for Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodaro to take minutes away from veteran center Jusuf Nurkic.
Oso Ighodaro
| Team: |
Phoenix Suns |
| Position: | PF, C |
| Age: | 20 |
| Height: | 213 cm |
| Weight: | 107 kg |
| Birth place: | United States of America |
The decision comes as the Suns continue to search for the right combinations to improve consistency throughout a challenging season.
Budenholzer has been experimenting with various lineup changes, aiming to find the best blend of players that can help the Suns get back on track. He explained the reasoning behind the decision.
"They've been good for us, so we'll just continue to try and put together our best combinations," he noted.
The coach also addressed Nurkic's role in the rotation, emphasizing the importance of staying professional and being ready for any opportunity.
"Everybody's earning their minutes," Budenholzer argued.
Looking at the numbers, Plumlee has made his presence felt with 4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 17.6 minutes of action this season.
Ighodaro, who is still adjusting to life as an NBA rookie, chipped in with 3.8 points and 3.8 rebounds over 16.1 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, Nurkic has been averaging 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds in 23.7 minutes.
In other rotation news, the Suns' starting lineup has also seen adjustments, including Bradley Beal transitioning to a bench role. These changes seem to have paid off recently, as the Suns earned a 114-106 victory over the Utah Jazz , improving their record to 18-19
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