Suns pledge not to let injuries hurt them, starting with game vs. Blazers
The Phoenix Suns' double-overtime victory over Orlando came at a huge cost.
Suns forward Dillon Brooks suffered a broken left hand, according to an ESPN report, and he is expected to miss an extended period of time after leaving in the first quarter of the 113-110 win over the Magic on Saturday.
"That's my guy," said guard Jalen Green, who scored the Suns' final six points and hit the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired. "He's needed out there."
The Suns will be right back at it Sunday when they host the Portland Trail Blazers, who were blown out 157-103 at home against Denver on Friday.
"One of the worst games of the season," Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter said. "We were just not ready. Sometimes you get punched in the face. Then you react."
The Suns know that punching bag feeling.
They lost both Brooks and reserve guard Jordan Goodwin against Orlando, two days after All-Star guard Devin Booker suffered a strained right hip that has caused him to miss Saturday's game. Booker is to be reevaluated in a week, and Goodman (calf) is to undergo an MRI on Sunday after leaving late in regulation Saturday.
"It's happened back-to-back games for us," Suns coach Jordan Ott said. "We can't feel sorry for ourselves. No one cares. The only group that can help you when you are stranded is your group. So we just have to find a solution."
Grayson Allen returned from a four-game absence with a knee injury against the Magic and had 27 points in his return Saturday, while newly healthy Green salvaged a 6-for-26 night with his game-winner. He has played nine games this season.
"That's my first game-winner," Green said. "I needed that one, too."
Brooks was averaging 21.2 points and 3.7 rebounds entering the Orlando game. Booker, who is averaging 24.7 points, has missed nine of 12 games, initially sidelined by sprained right ankle.
"This is what we talk about," Ott said. "You find any way you can to win and then you move on. In the standings, it doesn't matter."
The Trail Blazers will look to regroup after their worst loss of the season, when they tied the mark for the third-most points given up in franchise history.
Portland gave 41, 41 and 43 points in the first three quarters against Denver, which set a franchise record for the most points in a road game.
"I think we're going to bounce back," Splitter said. "Go to Phoenix and bounce back like (the Nuggets) did. Come in with a sense of urgency to win and do the right things -- effort on defense, talk, communicate."
Blazers small forward Deni Avdija, having a breakout season, is leading the team in scoring (25.0) and assists (6.8) per game and is second in rebounding (7.2). He had 15 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and six turnovers against Denver.
Second-leading scorer Shaedon Sharpe (21.4 points) has missed the last five games and will be out for a "little bit" with a strained calf, Splitter said.
"Everybody has to look inside yourself," Splitter said. "How can we be ready in these moments, stay together? We all have to do this together. There is no individual who is going to take us and do it by himself."
Like the Suns, the Blazers will attack from the perimeter. They are averaging 14.5 3-pointers per game and have made 14 or more threes in the last eight games and nine of 10.