P.J. Tucker, who brings a physicality and strong defense to the Phoenix Suns’ starting five, likely will miss the start of the season following back surgery, the team announced Thursday.
The Suns announced Tucker “underwent a successful low back microdiscectomy procedure.” While the Suns did not provide details, this procedure is traditionally done to relieve nerve pressure and fix a herniated disc. The Suns are less than six weeks out from the start of the NBA season, but Tucker shouldn’t miss extended time. This is a contract year for Tucker.
On an injury-plagued Suns team last season, Tucker played in all 82 games and was the one thing the coaching staff — now headed by Earl Watson — could count on. He’s not a great shooter (33 percent from three last season), but he’s good enough that opponents can’t ignore him.
With Tucker out, T.J. Warren likely will get more run at the three, and start. Which makes this tweet from him about his foot injury worth noting.
Basketball free! Cleared
— TJ Warren (@TonyWarrenJr) September 15, 2016
