Suns play with extremely short rotation in Sunday loss to Pistons

Mar 19, 2017, 4:01 PM | Updated: Mar 20, 2017, 8:33 am

Arizona Sports

The Phoenix Suns bench looked a little bit emptier than a usual NBA sideline in a 112-95 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Friday.

The Suns dressed only eight players for the game against Detroit. Rookie guards Tyler Ulis and Derrick Jones Jr. started alongside T.J. Warren, Marquese Chriss and Alex Len. Warren, at 13.8, is the only player in the lineup to avergae double figures in points per game.

The three reserves were center Alan Williams, forward Jared Dudley and forward Jarell Eddie, who the Suns signed to a 10-day contract from the D-League Windy City Bulls earlier on Sunday morning.

Eddie scored a career-high 13 off the bench, while Ulis led the Suns with 17 points and 11 assists. Chriss added 15, while Williams scored 11 to go with 12 rebounds off the bench.

With only eight players available, the team’s injury report was predictably lengthy. Guard Devin Booker was listed out with an ankle injury, which was bothering him Friday when the Suns hosted the Orlando Magic.

The Suns listed guard Ronnie Price as out with a left lower leg contusion and guard Leandro Barbosa out with illness. On top of that, veterans Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Tyson Chandler were all out after being shut down for the season.

Chandler, 34, has been out the longest, not playing since Feb. 15. Bledsoe, 27, was shut down by the Suns on March 15 after playing 66 games for Phoenix this season. The most interesting situation is that of Knight, who refused to enter the game against the Kings on March 15 complaining of back pain. Head coach Earl Watson said Knight was done for the year soon after.

The Suns (22-47) have been hanging onto the third-worst record in the NBA and therefore the third-best chance at a top pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

Phoenix Suns forward Alan Williams (15) is fouled by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Sunday, March 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley (3) shoots on Detroit Pistons forward Jon Leuer (30) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Sunday, March 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) drives against Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Sunday, March 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith (14) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Alan Williams (15) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Sunday, March 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Derrick Jones Jr. (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Sunday, March 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Pistons forward Jon Leuer (30) is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Sunday, March 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith (14) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Alan Williams (15) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Sunday, March 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Phoenix Suns forward Derrick Jones Jr. drives between Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson, rear, and guards Ish Smith during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Sunday, March 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) pulls down a rebound against the Phoenix Suns in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Sunday, March 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.

comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Nick Borgia

Team USA’s Grant Hill delivers Olympics jerseys to Devin Booker and Kevin Durant

Suns stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant officially accepted the invitation to compete on USA's 12-man squad for the Paris Olympics.

4 hours ago

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Is overconfidence the biggest concern with the Suns in their playoff series with the Timberwolves?

Having not lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves all season, Wolf & Luke wonder if the Phoenix Suns might be a little overconfident heading into their first round playoff series with them.

8 hours ago