Suns center JaVale McGee out vs. 76ers with non-COVID illness
Mar 26, 2022, 5:52 PM
JaVale McGee #00 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at Footprint Center on November 02, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 112-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns will be without their backup center JaVale McGee on Sunday at Footprint Center.
McGee has been ruled out against the Philadelphia 76ers due to a non-COVID-19 illness, per the team’s latest injury report.
Sunday’s contest will mark just the seventh game the 34-year-old seven-footer will miss in his first season in the Valley.
In 68 games for the Suns this year (14 starts), McGee is averaging 9.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 15.5 minutes per game.
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Phoenix’s backup center is also shooting 63.9% from the field and 71.1% from the free throw line this season.
With the likes of league MVP candidate Joel Embiid coming into town, third-string center Bismack Biyombo could see more playing time in McGee’s absence.
Biyombo has appeared in 30 games for Phoenix in his first season in the Valley, three of which were starts.
In that time he has garnered a 27-3 record in contests he participates in and averaged 5.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 13.2 minutes per game.
The Suns will continue to be without wing Cam Johnson due to a quad injury he suffered in his career-high 38-point showing on March 4 that culminated in a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to sink the New York Knicks, 115-114.
However, Johnson did return to practice on Saturday for the first time since that ballgame.
The Suns host the Sixers on Sunday at 3 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
