Dario Saric, Abdel Nader ruled out for Suns game against Kings
Dec 26, 2020, 11:18 AM
Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric (20) drives around Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Injuries will keep two Phoenix Suns players sidelined against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, according to Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson.
Forward/center Dario Saric will miss another game due to right quad soreness while small forward Abdel Nader remains in concussion protocol after suffering a fall against the Utah Jazz in the preseason.
Both missed the season opener Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks, and Saric missed all three preseason games.
Saric said Monday that he thought he would miss one more full week, which suggests he doesn’t expect to be ready for the Sunday game against the Kings, either.
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The projected backup center’s absence was felt Wednesday when Phoenix’s bigs got into early foul trouble. Starting center Deandre Ayton and backup Damian Jones committed three fouls apiece in the first quarter, which led to an early entry for rookie big Jalen Smith.
Ayton played only 24 minutes due to foul trouble and Jones finished with five fouls in eight minutes of play.
Smith, the No. 10 pick in the draft, played for 16 minutes in his debut. He had a quick foul in the first quarter but did not pick up a second.
The Suns (1-0) tip off against the Kings (1-0) at 8 p.m. on Saturday. The teams will get a rematch Sunday night at 7 p.m.
