Nurkic posted 10 points (1-4 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 8-8 FT), four rebounds, two assists and a steal across 16 minutes in Tuesday's 115-107 preseason loss to the Nuggets.
While Nurkic's night didn't look impressive on paper, he successfully defended one of the league's best players. The former Trail Blazer was all over Nikola Jokic, providing the kind of defensive prowess needed inside after the departure of Deandre Ayton, who took Nurkic's place in Portland. Nurkic is slated to be the Suns' starting center, but newcomer Bol Bol could also carve out a role.