Udoka

Azubuike

Selected by the Jazz with the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Azubuike failed to make an impact in his four NBA seasons. The 7-footer spent three seasons in Utah before joining the Suns for the 2023-24 campaign, appearing in a total of 84 NBA games.

Young spent the last two seasons with the Raptors and contributed meaningfully when needed. He’s unlikely to play a significant role with Phoenix, as he’ll be behind starters Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic and competing for backup minutes with the likes of Bol Bol, Drew Eubanks and Udoka Azubuike.

Nurkic injured his thumb in Friday’s tilt with the Pacers, and he sat out Sunday against Orlando. Drew Eubanks started in his place against the Magic and finished with four points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block across 29 minutes. Chimezie Metu logged seven minutes and grabbed one rebound, while Udoka Azubuike finished with six rebounds and two points in 11 minutes. Eubanks is a worthwhile streaming option if Nurkic is sidelined against the Heat, while Metu and Azubuike are not.

Azubuike was held out of Monday’s loss to the Clippers, with the Suns making him inactive for the prior two games against the Heat and Grizzles. With Jusuf Nurkic and Drew Eubanks available, it’s unlikely that Azubuike will get the minutes needed to be relevant in fantasy basketball.

Azubuike was officially ruled out for Monday’s game after being listed as doubtful on the initial injury report. With Jusuf Nurkic and Drew Eubanks available, Azubuike’s availability does not impact the Suns’ rotation or fantasy basketball.

Azubuike was not in uniform for Sunday’s loss to the Grizzlies and appears unlikely to be available on Monday. That means no competition for minutes behind starting center Jusuf Nurkic; Drew Eubanks will play all of those minutes in Los Angeles.

Back with the team after missing two games due to personal reasons, Nurkic only played 14 minutes on Wednesday. There was no word of a possible injury, but Nurk was in foul trouble. More notable than Nurkic’s minutes was the change in the rotation behind him. Udoka Azubuike played 19 minutes off the bench, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocked shots, while Drew Eubanks was a DNP-CD. In the past, Eubanks was the streaming choice when Nurkic wasn’t available, but that could change.

Nurk will be back in the lineup after a two-game absence, which will push Drew Eubanks back to the bench. Udoka Azubuike and Chimezie Metu have also each had a good game in Nurkic’s absence, but they won’t have the same streaming value now that Nurk is back.

Nurkic was initially expected to be available for their Christmas Day matchup, but that won’t be the case. Drew Eubanks should get another start at center, but he only played 15 minutes on Friday. Udoka Azubuike ended up recording a double-double in 22 minutes off the bench. We’ll see if Azubuike moves into the starting unit after playing well on Friday.

With Jusuf Nurkic away from the team for personal reasons, some fantasy managers targeted Eubanks as a streamer for Friday’s slate. He put forth a disappointing effort, scoring just two points with minimal production in the rebound and steal categories. Udoka Azubuike, who was on no one’s fantasy radar, was far better, finishing with 11 points, 11 rebounds, one steal, and one blocked shot in 22 minutes. Nurkic is expected to rejoin the team for Monday’s game against Dallas, so feel free to drop Eubanks.