PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ Jermaine O’Neal putting family first

Mar 5, 2013, 8:48 PM | Updated: 8:50 pm

Jermaine O’Neal has often referred to his teammates as “family.”

Well, right now, his immediate family needs him more.

O’Neal left the Suns Tuesday after practice to catch a flight to Boston, where his 13-year-old daughter is awaiting heart surgery.

“Family is the most important thing,” interim head coach Lindsey Hunter said. “It puts everything in perspective when you see your daughter going through what his daughter is going through.”

O’Neal’s daughter, Asjia, has a leaky valve that needs to be fixed.

For Hunter, there was never any question whether or not O’Neal would be by his daughter’s side.

“That’s first priority,” Hunter said. “Our prayers are with him. We hope that everything works out.”

The surgery is Wednesday, the same day O’Neal’s teammates are to play the Toronto Raptors.

The Suns have won three straight games, largely due to the play of the 34-year-old veteran center who has spent half his life in the NBA.

“He’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do,” Hunter said. “He’s helping mentor the young guys as well as producing on the floor. When you can get a veteran like that it makes our job a little easier, makes his career feel a little more fulfilling and maybe he’ll play more. You don’t know. It looks like he can.”

O’Neal is averaging nearly 15 points (14.7) and better than ten rebounds (10.3) during this current run. Twice he’s recorded double-doubles, including 22 points and 13 rebounds at San Antonio, one of the more impressive wins of the season.

O’Neal is expected to miss the next two, and most likely three, games before rejoining the team.

The Suns have told him to take as much time as he needs.

“We’ll just play it by ear,” Hunter said. “Let him handle his family.”

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

1 hour ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

19 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

23 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

Suns’ Jermaine O’Neal putting family first