As Mike Budenholzer settles into his role as the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns, he’s off to an impressive start with three wins in his first four games. Still, he’s experimenting with lineups, as seen in his recent decision to replace starting center Jusuf Nurkic with Mason Plumlee in the second half of the game. The move ultimately helped secure a win, but some speculated it might create tension in the locker room. However, Nurkic downplayed any issues, and teammate Devin Booker voiced full support for him.
Despite his starting role, Nurkic played just 15 minutes and scored only two points. He seemed unfazed by the reduced playing time, emphasizing that winning takes priority. “A win is all that matters,” Nurkic said. “It’s going to take time to adjust to the system, rotations. There’s no issue here—we’re here for the bigger goal.”
Nurkic has had a tough time in both games against the Lakers so far, scoring only four points in their last matchup, where Budenholzer also limited his minutes. Nurkic, however, remains focused on the team’s success: “I’m team-first, and we want to win—that’s what matters.”
Booker echoed Nurkic’s sentiments after the game, saying, “Nurk’s been in the league for 10 years; he knows what it takes, even when things aren’t going his way.” Booker expressed confidence that Nurkic would rebound, saying, “He’s a competitor, and we’ll rally behind him.”
Coach Budenholzer also defended his decision, explaining that he stuck with Plumlee because of his strong defensive impact and energy. Although Plumlee went scoreless, he grabbed ten crucial rebounds and anchored the team’s defense, earning Budenholzer’s praise: “Mason was great tonight.”
In his first season with the Suns, Plumlee has already proven to be a valuable addition, contributing beyond the scoreboard. With Nurkic expected to regain his form, the two could become a solid tandem in the paint, adding much-needed depth for the Suns.
