The Phoenix Suns will roll out the same starting lineup they did on Thursday, which included Frank Kaminsky at the five against Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday afternoon.
Kaminsky was questionable due to a hip issue, but the Suns have confirmed that he will indeed match up with KAT to start the game. A hip issue is also what has kept Aron Baynes out of the lineup for a few games, though the opening day starter, Deandre Ayton, was suspended due to testing positive for a diuretic.
The 26-year-old Kaminsky is having a quietly effective season in his fifth year in the NBA after being drafted 9th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 2015. Kaminsky has scored the fourth-most total points on the team (153), pulled down the third-most rebounds (79), dished out the fifth-most assists (28) and generally provided serviceable minutes while the rest of Phoenix’s frontcourt remains out.
In particular, the former Wisconsin Badger looks as if he’s turned the corner from the returns early in his career as a defensive turnstile, as the Suns are 2.7 points per 100 possessions better as a defensive unit when he’s on the floor, according to Cleaning the Glass.
That defensive rating ranks 4th on the Suns, behind only Jevon Carter (-10.7), Kelly Oubre (-4.9) and Ricky Rubio (-3.9).
While Kaminsky will have a tall task defending Karl-Anthony Towns on Saturday, his effort overall on the defensive end this season has been some of the best of his career, leading to his best defensive box plus/minus numbers since his rookie season – which was a good Hornets squad.