Suns Injury Report: Nassir Little has an orbital bone fracture and is still under concussion protocol.
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The Phoenix Suns are now taking advantage of their much-needed three-day break between games. But, the squad is making the most of this chance to drill and, ideally, strengthen the camaraderie among the players, so the effort doesn’t end there.
We are aware that this squad has struggled with injuries so far this season, and a new player has appeared on the “old injured list.”
In the Sacramento Kings’ Friday night defeat, Nassir Little was trying to get a rebound after De’Aaron Fox missed. He was shot in the head by former Phoenix Sun JaVale McGee while he was doing so. Little was compelled by this to leave the game and follow concussion protocol.
Little did not come back for the rest of the match.
Two days later, not much is left in the concussion protocol, and Suns head coach Frank Vogel told the media on Sunday that he also has an orbital bone fracture.
When Little returns to the Suns’ lineup, he will be wearing a mask. We witnessed this earlier this season as Jordan Goodwin dealt with the same injury and earned his “Sub-Zero” moniker.
Little, who was acquired in the deal that sent Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers, has played in 16 games for the Suns this season. In his 14.3 minutes played, he has scored 5.2 points, adding 2.1 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks. He is shooting 33.3% from three-point range.
It is his aggressive energy when inserted into the lineup that has forced the hand of Vogel to continue to provide him minutes. “He’s a really strong two-way player who’s gonna help us this year,” Frank said of Little prior to the start of the season, and Little has fulfilled that observation with his playing time.
The Phoenix Suns next play on Tuesday night at home against the Golden State Warriors. It has not been released as of yet as to whether or not Scott Foster will be officiating the game.