PHOENIX SUNS

Suns now own record for youngest starting lineup in NBA history

Mar 23, 2017, 7:03 PM | Updated: 9:19 pm

Brooklyn Nets' Caris LeVert (22) drives past Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) during the first half o...

Brooklyn Nets' Caris LeVert (22) drives past Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 23, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The NBA is no place for excuses, but the Suns’ 126-98 loss to the league-worst Brooklyn Nets (15-56) might have been more palatable with this fact: Phoenix rolled out the youngest starting lineup in the history of the NBA.

T.J. Warren was listed as out with a foot contusion before the Suns faced the Nets on Wednesday, and that left them with Tyler Ulis (21), Devin Booker (20), Derrick Jones Jr. (20), Marquese Chriss (19) and Alex Len (23) in the lineup.

That averaged out to 21 years and 14 days old.

And that was younger that all but one of the eight Sweet 16 teams playing in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night.

It tops the previous record set by the Los Angeles Clippers’ lineup on Nov. 15, 2010, which averaged 21 years and 143 days old. Current Phoenix guard Eric Bledsoe was a part of that lineup.

Booker scored 28 points in the loss — he went 9-for-26 from the field — while Chriss added 23 points to go with 11 rebounds and two steals. Ulis added 10 points, 12 assists and two steals for the Suns, who fell to 22-50 on the season.

Phoenix’s rotation reached nine players, including Jarell Eddie, who is on a 10-day contract.

Backup point guard Ronnie Price remained out with an injury, while Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Tyson Chandler have been shut down for the year as the team aims to give its young players more experience.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

16 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

21 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

2 days ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

2 days ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

3 days ago

Suns now own record for youngest starting lineup in NBA history