Suns’ Wainright in health and safety protocols, Shamet probable to return

Phoenix Suns forward Ish Wainright has been placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, per the team’s injury report.

The rookie has appeared in each of the Suns’ last five contests and averaged 2.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in just over nine minutes per game in that span.

Those metrics are up from Wainright’s average of 1.6 points and 1.3 rebounds in just over 6.5 minutes across the 16 games he’s played in this season.

Monday’s injury report also gives the Suns an uphill battle in terms of the team’s rotation at the wing position.

With Cam Johnson (ankle sprain) already on the shelf for Tuesday night’s matchup with the Raptors in Toronto, Phoenix will be without Johnson, Wainright and Justin Jackson (not with the team).

That leaves Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges as the only healthy forwards remaining for head coach Monty Williams.

However, there was good news for the Suns on Monday as it pertains to players coming out of health and safety protocols.

Phoenix guard Landry Shamet has been listed as probable for Tuesday night’s contest with the Raptors.

The 24-year-old Shamet is currently undergoing return-to-competition reconditioning after being placed in protocols last week and missing the last three games.

He will be a welcome addition back, as the guard is averaging 7.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists across in just under 21 minutes per contest.

Monday also saw Suns forward Abdel Nader come out of health and safety protocols.

However, the 28-year-old Nader remains sidelined due to a right knee injury that has kept him out since mid-November.

The Suns take on the Raptors at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Catch all the action on ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2.

Follow @jwa1994