Trevor Ariza returns to starting lineup, Bridges replaces Canaan
Nov 19, 2018, 4:06 PM | Updated: 4:13 pm
Phoenix Suns forward Trevor Ariza (3) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Forward Trevor Ariza will return to the Phoenix Suns’ starting lineup Monday on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers, 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro confirmed.
The news was first reported as coach Igor Kokoskov told it to The Athletic’s Gina Mizell.
Kokoskov told reporters before the game that’s not the only change.
#Suns are starting Booker, Bridges, Ariza, Warren and Ayton tonight to try to match Philly’s length.
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) November 19, 2018
The departure of a traditional point guard in the lineup leaves Devin Booker with those responsibilities. Isaiah Canaan had started 14 of 15 games prior, and rookie Elie Okobo had the other start in the place of an injured Canaan on Oct. 28 against Oklahoma City.
While Booker has been playing with a point guard throughout the season, the 22-year-old shooting guard has been running most of the offense himself anyway. Booker’s 30.0 usage percentage entered Monday’s action as the 10th-highest mark across the league.
Ariza missed the last two games due to personal reasons. He was replaced by rookie Mikal Bridges in a 20-point win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday and a 10-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
The 33-year-old Ariza is averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting just 37 percent from the field.
In his place, Bridges shot 8-of-13 and averaged 11 points, two rebounds, two steals, 1.5 blocks and an assist in 28 minutes per game through his two starts. He is averaging 7.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists through 15 games played this season while shooting 46 percent overall.
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Bridges, who grew up in Philadelphia and also attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania, was selected 10th overall by the Sixers in the 2018 NBA Draft before being traded on draft night. The Suns dealt their No. 16 overall pick, guard Zhaire Smith, to the 76ers and added a 2021 first-round pick in a package to acquire Bridges.
Smith has yet to play in an NBA game.
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