Jusuf Nurkić and Mike Budenholzer aren’t in a good place.

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic hasn't played since Jan. 7 at Charlotte but was available for Saurday's game.

Jusuf Nurkic said that he has no relationship with Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer over the past two months, but the coach disagrees.

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic appeared in and started all but six of the team’s regular season contests during the 2023-24 campaign (plus all four playoff tilts), leading the squad in both games played and started with 76.

Suns center Jusuf Nurkic was unceremoniously benched.

Nurkic said he and Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn’t talk for two months. This is consistent with him saying Budenholzer didn’t inform him about a decision not to play him Jan. 9 against Atlanta.

I wouldn’t put it in those kind of drastic terms.” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer when asked what “broke the camel’s back” with Jusuf Nurkic getting

Jusuf Nurkic's unexpected benching by Coach Mike Budenholzer has led to trade rumors and public discord within the Phoenix Suns. Nurkic stresses profe

The Phoenix Suns are moving into tonight's duel against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a real shot to continue to both pile up victories while also potentially securing key tiebreakers against Western Conference rivals.

Following a 121-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves where the Phoenix Suns collapsed in the second half, Suns coach Mike Budenholzer reacted to the result.

"Obviously I’m a player so I’m trying to play but it’s not up to me,” Dunn said.