PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ Ricky Rubio optimistic about returning, Aron Baynes out

Nov 26, 2019, 4:23 PM | Updated: 9:37 pm

From left, Phoenix Suns guards Devin Booker, Ricky Rubio and Tyler Johnson look on from the bench a...

From left, Phoenix Suns guards Devin Booker, Ricky Rubio and Tyler Johnson look on from the bench as time runs out in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Denver. The Nuggets won 116-104. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns have managed to stay afloat while day-to-day injuries for two of their most important players have had them shorthanded.

Ricky Rubio (back spasms) has missed the last three games after trying to give it a go against the Sacramento Kings when he missed the game prior against the Boston Celtics while Aron Baynes (right hip flexor strain) has missed the past four.

Rubio was optimistic after Tuesday’s practice that he will return and the injury report backed it up, with him being listed as probable for Wednesday’s game at home against the Washington Wizards.

The long-time veteran gave some insight as to what has been happening with his back.

“The day before (against the Celtics) it felt a little tight and then I wanted to push it, but right before the game, it really got stiff, didn’t get looser,” he said after practice Tuesday.

“The same thing happened [Tuesday in Sacramento] but I wanted to play, I wanted to try it out, but it didn’t work. I didn’t feel good at all. I [wamted] to make sure that everything was fine before. Sometimes when the muscle gets tight, all you need is time, and we don’t have a lot of time in the NBA.”

“Missing somebody like him is tough,” Devin Booker said. “It gives us a whole different dynamic and was a reason for a lot of our success early.”

Baynes, on the other hand, wasn’t even given a questionable or doubtful label. He’s out.

“We’ll see with Aron,” general manager James Jones said Tuesday on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Burns & Gambo. “Aron’s responded well but he’s not there yet. He’s getting close but we don’t want to push it. We’re not forcing it.”

Regardless of either key veteran returning, the Suns are happy to be out of a week where they played five games in seven days. That included two back-to-backs, including one strictly on the road over the weekend.

But even with bodies missing and that run of games, Monty Williams didn’t want that being used when it came to what they saw on film that needed to be cleaned up from the 1-4 stretch.

“Five (games) in seven (days) can be an excuse but the discipline and the fundamentals have to remain,” he said. “I think our guys are more than up to the task.”

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.

11 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

Suns’ Ricky Rubio optimistic about returning, Aron Baynes out