It is easy to overlook the value of Jusuf Nurkic to the Phoenix Suns. For one, he is surrounded by superstars. There’s Kevin Durant and Devin Booker then Bradley Beal arrived over the offseason. Still, Nurkic is an integral part of the Suns, who clipped the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night in Hollywood, 124-108, to successfully avenge their 105-92 loss to the same team a night before at home.
Jusuf Nurkic Had a Dennis Rodman-esque Game in Phoenix Suns’ Win vs. Los Angeles Clippers
While Booker, Beal, and Durant were busy torching the Clippers with their offense, Nurkic busied himself in doing the dirty job for the Suns. He made his only attempt from the floor and went 1/2 from the free throw line to finish with just three points in 30 minutes of action, but he also wound up with a monster total of 19 rebounds and 10 assists.
The last player to have at least 25 rebounds and assists combined in a game while firing just a shot from the floor was no other than Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman.
Via StatMuse:
Last two players with 25 REB + AST on only 1 shot attempt in a game:
Dennis Rodman
Jusuf NurkicThe only players to do it over the last 40 seasons.
Nurkic did not play in Tuesday’s meeting with the Clippers because of an ankle sprain in his right foot, so he must have been so pumped up when he returned to action, and it showed with how he performed against a legitimate title contender.
The 29-year-old Nurkic, who was traded to Phoenix by the Portland Trail Blazers last September, is averaging 11.0 points and 11.1 rebounds along with 3.9 assists per game so far in his first season in Suns uniform.
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