PHOENIX SUNS

Absence of T.J. Warren leaves massive void for Suns to fill

Jan 16, 2018, 10:59 AM | Updated: 11:22 am

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren, middle, drives to the basket between Los Angeles Clippers guard Mil...

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren, middle, drives to the basket between Los Angeles Clippers guard Milos Teodosic, left, and center DeAndre Jordan during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

LISTEN: Jay Triano, Suns Interim Head Coach

Every Batman needs his Robin. At least that’s how Phoenix Suns head coach Jay Triano correlates the relationship between Devin Booker and T.J. Warren.

A fourth-year pro, Warren is in the midst of his best NBA season. His scoring has increased year-to-year and he is averaging 19.7 points per game, second on the Suns behind Booker (24.6).

“For a young player he’s consistent and steady,” Triano told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “Some players have to WORK to get 20 points. T.J. will get you 20 on a consistent basis.”

The scoring ability of Warren was never a question. He posted nearly 25 points per game as a sophomore at North Carolina State before Phoenix drafted him 14th overall in 2014.

His health, on the other hand, has hampered his time on the floor and the productivity of the Suns.

Warren, out for two of the past four games due to illness and back spasms, has missed an additional 51 games over the last two seasons. Phoenix is 13-40 without him on the floor, including a record of 0-2 in 2018.

“He [Warren] figures out a way to get you 20 points. It’s a knack and skill he’s got. We’re missing that lately,” Triano told Doug & Wolf.

As much as Triano misses the offensive output of his versatile wing, it is likely that Booker misses him more.

One of the premier young scorers in the NBA, Booker has struggled throughout his career when Warren is on the sidelines. Here is a look at Booker’s statistics when Warren has been injured.

2015-2016 (35 games): 18.8 points per game .398/.299/.860

2016-2017 (16 games): 16.9 points per game .392/.338/.750

2017-2018 (2 games): 18.0 points per game .394/.333/1.000

As one of the younger teams in the NBA, the Suns rely heavily on Booker and Warren as the duo accounts for 42 percent of Phoenix’s points. When one is missing, opposing defenses can key in on the other.

“Devin is the focal point of everyone’s defense. Makes it tough on him when you don’t have the Robin guy to keep us in this until we can free up Booker,” Triano told Doug & Wolf. “We miss him [Warren], it’s become evident the last couple games.”

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

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.

13 hours 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.

1 day 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.

1 day 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.

2 days 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

Absence of T.J. Warren leaves massive void for Suns to fill