Suns’ Tyson Chandler becomes 40th NBA player to reach 10,000 rebounds

Tyson Chandler’s age may not be telling of his career arc so much as his mileage.

The 35-year-old center, who entered the NBA straight out of Dominguez High School in Compton, Calif., is in the midst of his 17th NBA season. If that’s not telling of the wear and tear on his body, maybe his accomplishments will be.

Pulling down 14 boards in 26 minutes of playing time Sunday in the Phoenix Suns’ 120-97 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Chandler became the 40th NBA player to surpass the 10,000 rebound threshold for his career.

“I was thinking about it today before the game. It means a lot because when you come into this league as a young player, you don’t know what to expect. You’re just trying to survive,” Chandler said the loss. “Now in the latter part of my career, to be able to start to hit some of these milestones just reminds you of all the hard work, the journey, the sacrifices that you had to make and everything that you’ve done to kind of be in position to hit these.

“To be able do it on the home floor in front of the Suns fans and in front of my family — my son, my daughters — it means everything for me.”

Four active players — Dwight Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol and Zach Randolph — have hauled in more rebounds than Chandler. He’s also chasing retired Phoenix stars Shawn Marion (10,101) and Charles Barkley (12,546), the former of whom he could catch this season.

It’ll be up to Chandler’s health, and the Suns’ decision-making, to make it possible.

All three of his seasons with Phoenix have been marked by signs of a downturn in his career.

In 2015-16, Chandler produced declining numbers in just 66 games and after the year admitted injuries hampered him. Last season, the team shut him down after the All-Star break, and he finished the year playing in just 47 games despite shooting 67.1 percent and grabbing 11.5 rebounds per game, which respectively ranked second- and third-best in his career.

This season, Chandler has skipped the occasional game, especially on back-to-back nights, as the Suns attempt to keep him fresh.

Though he’s limited these days, he’s bolstered the backend defense of the starting lineup with constant communication and in the locker room has remained committed to helping the young Suns grow.

Stop stealing my rebounds champ!! S/o to my OG @tysonchandler. 10K rebounds.. glad I get to be apart of your legendary career big bro!! 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/Skn9k5H7nz

— Devin Booker (@DevinBook) January 15, 2018

Chandler ranks in the top-10 in terms of offensive, defensive and total rebounding percentages this year while averaging 6.7 points and 9.9 boards per game.

Of late, Chandler has been especially active, grabbing double-digit rebounds in eight of his last nine games played.

“Unbelievable — I mean just his longevity and what he’s done for us at the defensive end, as far as rebounding,” interim coach Jay Triano said Sunday. “You can see it again tonight to go get that milestone. I think anytime you do something that only 40 people have done in the history of the game, I think that’s an incredible honor.”

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