The Phoenix Suns are going to miss their promising swingmen Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mikal Bridges for at least a week, the team reported via Gina Mizell of The Athletic.
#Suns injury updates, including some official diagnoses: Nasal fracture for Aron Baynes, wrist tendinitis for Kelly Oubre and a knee bone bruise for Mikal Bridges. Open practice is tomorrow, and preseason opener Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/Z5vihaV6dJ
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) October 5, 2019
Oubre reportedly has tendinitis in his right wrist, while Bridges is suffering from a right patella bone bruise. There is no timetable on when Oubre can start participating in practice. Bridges, on the other hand, will be re-evaluated within the next 7-10 days.
Both injuries will reportedly heal with time. It might be best for the Suns to remain patient with their two-way forwards as both these injuries have a tendency to linger throughout the season if they rush the recovery process.
This is definitely unfortunate news for Phoenix as both will miss a significant chunk, if not, all of pre-season. Players usually use this time to get up to speed for the upcoming season and establish their chemistry with their teammates.
Both Oubre and Bridges will likely compete for the starting small forward spot in Phoenix. With both out, rookie Cam Johnson will likely get some much needed run in the preseason.
Mikal Bridges was drafted by Phoenix with the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. The 6-foot-7 forward played all 82 games in his rookie season averaged 8.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.6 SPG across 29.5 MPG.
The Suns acquired Oubre from the Washington Wizards. The 23-year old forward flourished from the increased opportunity he saw in Phoenix. In 40 games, Oubre averaged career bests in points (16.9), rebounds (4.9), assists (1.6), and field goal percentage (45.3 percent).
The two should develop more this season as Phoenix focuses more on their up-and-coming prospects. The Suns, however, will have to make sure they are healthy to begin the season.
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