Clippers-Suns: James Harden (foot), Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) all out
The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers both have injury issues going into their Tuesday matchup at Footprint Center in what is the final home regular season game for the Suns.
Suns center Jusuf Nurkic will sit out Tuesday's game against the Clippers (50-28) with a right ankle sprain after stepping on Zion Williamson's foot in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to New Orleans.
"We'll see," Suns coach Frank Vogel said. "He might miss both games. He rolled it. It's pretty sore and we'll see how he responds to treatment."
Nurkic may also miss Wednesday's game at the Clippers, Vogel said. The Suns (46-32) are currently sixth in the West looking to avoid the play-in tournament.
James Harden (foot) and Kawhi Leonard (knee) are both out for the Clippers. Coach Ty Lue said he hopes Leonard returns by the end of the regular season as Leonard will miss a fifth straight game and didn't make the trip to Phoenix.
"We've got to be smart," Lue said. "We talk about being 100% going into the playoffs or close to 100% as you can be."
Looking to secure the fourth seed in the West, the Clippers are starting Russell Westbrook for Harden, who scored 22 points in their comeback win Sunday over the Cavaliers.
"You always have concerns about health," said Lue when asked directly about Harden. "Making sure people are as close to 100% as you can be going into the playoffs. James has been experiencing some foot soreness. We've got to be smart about it."
Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) OUT.
Could miss tomorrow's game at #Clippers, Frank Vogel said.
Said Drew Eubanks and Thaddeus Young will get those minutes, but could see Bol Bol at the 5.
As for Isaiah Thomas, still using him as 3rd string point guard as he signed rest of season. #Suns pic.twitter.com/hstfrg4wgK— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 10, 2024
The Suns have lost games to teams that didn't have their best player.
The Spurs stunned them in San Antonio minus rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama and the Thunder blasted the Suns by 25 points without MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
This is a must-win game for the Suns to maintain that sixth spot as they have the same record as the Pelicans. Phoenix is 0-2 versus the Clippers.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Clippers' Harden (foot), Leonard (knee), Suns' Nurkic (ankle) out
