The Phoenix Suns are keeping Miles Bridges on a short leash for now, and they have no interest in turning a preseason ankle into something bigger.
Ahead of Wednesday’s preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs, coach Jordan Ott said Bridges’ recovery is moving in the right direction, but the team isn’t about to force the issue.
“I think the ankle is recovering at a good rate, but that’s one we’re not going to press," Suns coach Jordan Ott said (h/t. Duane Rankin).
Bridges rolled his ankle last week and sat out Phoenix’s Saturday night win over San Antonio. With only two preseason games left, the Suns appear prepared to handle their regulars carefully over the next few days.
"Yeah, that's the plan," Ott said when asked about mixing and matching starters over the final two games.
"One of these two, but we'll see. You know, it's very fluid.
We have a couple days here in between. Get a good practice in on Monday and then see where we're at on Wednesday."
Phoenix hosts the Utah Jazz on Friday before opening the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The Suns brought Bridges in through a trade with the Charlotte Hornets this offseason, a deal that sent Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale out of the desert. Phoenix is banking on Bridges to bring more physical play and help around the basket.
"Bringing in Miles on the court, he's a phenomenal player. He's done amazing things.
He's going to be a great fit from a culture perspective. His work ethic, his grind, his athleticism, his toughness - it fits exactly what we're building here in Phoenix," Suns owner Mat Ishbia said.
"From a basketball perspective, we feel extremely great about that fit in our team. And he was a player that we targeted as that."
On the floor, Bridges is expected to take over at power forward, which would push Dillon Brooks back to his more natural small forward role in the starting lineup.
Bridges says the fit alongside Brooks is a natural one because of what both can do defensively.
"Both of us are real versatile defenders," Bridges said of playing next to Brooks this coming season.
"We can guard 1 through 4, 1 through 5. For me and Dillon, we want to be matchup nightmares on the defensive end for star players that play the 3 or 4 spot because we can interchange and guard those guys.
Throw in Goodie (Jordan Goodwin) in there, he's a great defender too. I'm excited to be playing with them."
There is plenty of expectation attached to Bridges entering this season. The Suns are clearly treating his ankle carefully, and they’ll need him healthy when the games start to count.
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Suns Good Vibes Will Face A Much Bigger Test Soon
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Phoenix has enough depth to help absorb some of that pressure, with two-way players like Pat Spencer part of the mix, but the bigger question is how the key pieces hold up if the path gets bumpier. Miles Bridges, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams all carry their own importance to the rotation, which is why the Suns ability to stay connected through any roster strain could matter as much as any single game in the standings. [Read more 🡒]
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The bigger question is whether Kennard can hold up on the other end while doing it. Phoenix has put together a defensive lineup meant to help cover for some of the concerns that have followed him in the past, and the Suns are planning to lean on him as a real contributor if injuries force them deeper into the bench. There is also room for him to grow as a secondary playmaker, which would make his minutes even more valuable, but for now this remains a familiar test: can the Suns get enough shooting from Kennard without losing too much anywhere else? [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Get Another Suns Test That May Matter More Than The Score
The Suns are heading into their fourth preseason game against the Spurs with a very different look, as several key players are expected to sit out while Phoenix continues its ramp-up toward opening night. Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Miles Bridges, Dillon Brooks, Collin Gillespie and Oso Ighodaro are all expected to be out, with coach Jordan Ott saying the team planned to rest starters for one of the remaining preseason games.
For Phoenix, the score matters less here than the minutes and matchups the coaching staff can study behind it. The Suns are using this stretch to evaluate reserve players and sort out the rotation spots that still need to be settled before the regular season begins, which makes this San Antonio game more of a proving ground than a tune-up. [Read more 🡒]