Since December’s NBA COVID-19 epidemic, the Phoenix Suns have been struggling to keep a full roster.
The Suns were able to escape that month, but with more injuries.
Landry Shamet, a guard for the San Antonio Spurs, has sustained a right ankle injury in Sunday’s win. He is one of seven players who are out for Tuesday’s match against the Brooklyn Nets.
On that list, Shamet joins Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton for right ankle sprains, Jae Crowder for left wrist contusions, Frank Kaminsky for right knee stress reaction, Abdel Nader to manage right knee injuries, Cam Payne for right wrist sprains and Dario Saric who are doing rehab for the right ACL.
Kaminsky, Nader, and Saric were on long-term timetables at least for most of the season. The Suns provided a Feb. 7 date for when Payne’s wrist injury will be re-evaluated.
Crowder and Ayton were considered day-to-day. JaVale McGee was also listed on Sunday’s injury report as questionable. McGee, who had left knee pains, was able to continue playing while Crowder and Ayton did not.
Crowder will be playing five games on Tuesday, while Ayton will be absent for his eighth game.
The Suns will have only nine bodies available against the Nets: Devin Booker (CBS), Chris Paul, Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges.
With Booker and Paul being absent, minutes have started to rise for them. In the six last contests, they have averaged over 38 minutes per match. Bridges is also up because of Nader and Crowder being sidelined.
