In return from All-Star break, Suns move Kelly Oubre Jr. into starting 5
Feb 21, 2019, 4:38 PM | Updated: 5:11 pm
Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (3) celebrates the team's overtime win over the Orlando Magic in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Phoenix Suns made a change in their starting lineup on Thursday, moving wing Kelly Oubre Jr. into the starting lineup, per 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro.
With TJ Warren sidelined the past 11 games, the Suns had previously elected to use second-year wing Josh Jackson in his place alongside Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges. Oubre would take Bridges’ spot.
At point guard, recently acquired Tyler Johnson has been in since he arrived at the trade deadline.
Oubre has provided some much-needed scoring off the bench. Since the start of the new year, his 16.7 points per game are second on the team to only Devin Booker’s 23.6. He’s been efficient as well, shooting 45.1 percent from the field, adding 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals a night.
Over that time when Oubre has been on the court, the Suns score 106.8 points per 100 possessions, the best individual mark on the team. When Oubre comes off the floor, the offensive rating drops all the way to 96.3.
The Suns resume play in the 2018-19 season at 5 p.m. against the Cleveland Cavaliers on ESPN 620 AM.
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