Isaiah Canaan to start at point guard in Suns’ season opener

The Phoenix Suns are turning to Isaiah Canaan to handle point guard duties in the team’s season opener against the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night.

Canaan, who played with the Suns for 19 games during the 2017-18 season, prepares to head back out onto the court after suffering a gruesome ankle fracture on Jan. 31. He was signed by the Suns just seven weeks earlier after the team received an injury hardship exemption.

During his time with the team, Canaan immediately entered the rotation. He averaged 9.1 points, 4.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 22.0 minutes. Out of 19 games played, he had 10 double-digit scoring performances including a season-high 17 points in a win against the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 18.

Joining Canaan in the starting lineup is Deandre Ayton (center), Devin Booker (guard), Trevor Ariza (forward) and Ryan Anderson (forward).

After shipping Brandon Knight to the Houston Rockets and not signing a point guard through free agency during the offseason, rookie Elie Okobo is the only other point guard active on the opening night roster, while new Suns guard Jamal Crawford gets adjusted to the team. De’Anthony Melton is inactive.

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