‘Bad timing’ puts Suns center Alex Len on the shelf, again
Jul 14, 2014, 4:03 AM | Updated: 4:03 am
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Another lost summer for Phoenix Suns center Alex Len.
What was expected to be a big summer for the second-year pro has been cut short by a broken right pinky finger.
Len suffered the injury in his Summer League debut — a 74-72 loss to the Golden State Warriors Saturday at Cox Pavilion.
“I swiped for the ball. I think it was in the third quarter,” he said. “I swiped for the ball and my pinky got stuck in the jersey. I think it was (Justin) Holiday. I thought it was just dislocated. It was like looking awkward so I put it back in place.”
An X-ray after the game revealed the break.
“It’s bad timing, but it is what it is,” he said prior to the Suns second game, a 93-82 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. “I don’t know how long exactly I am out for.”
Len, who missed last summer’s action because of surgeries to both of his ankles, will have the finger evaluated further when he returns to Phoenix on Monday.
“It’s bad timing right now. It would be a perfect time for me just to get some playing time (and) get my confidence back,” he said. “I felt good yesterday, no question. Just unfortunate.”
Len, the fifth overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, had six points, six rebounds and two blocks in 25 minutes in what will be his one and only summer league appearance.
While obviously disappointed, Len, 21, is instead choosing to look at the positive with this latest misfortune.
“That’s the plan,” he said of being able to work on his left hand. “Also, I now have time to get my legs stronger. We can look at it this way.”
