Phoenix Suns backup center JaVale McGee said he was happiest about getting through Thursday’s practice injury free.
“Everybody is healthy,” McGee said. “That’s the main thing I’m happy about. Each and every one of us is healthy. We haven’t been healthy all season and we’re still the No. 1 team in the league. Just that aspect alone is scary.”
He ended his comments about being healthy by saying “knock on wood” as he pounded on the stand holding up the microphones and recorders inside the team’s practice facility.
Twenty-four hours later, the Suns ended Friday’s practice with backup guard Landry Shamet out with a left foot injury.
“We’ve dealt with certain parts of the season that just come up and injuries are a part of it,” Suns coach Monty Williams said after Friday’s practice. “I’m not sure of the severity of it at all. He didn’t practice today. That’s all we have to report, but we’re built for situations like this and that’s why the player development program is so important.”
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Williams wouldn’t elaborate on whether Shamet would be available for Sunday’s Game 1 of the NBA playoffs as the Suns open postseason play at home against the eighth seed that will either be the Los Angeles Clippers or New Orleans Pelicans.
“Just going to wait and see until we get more information about what it really is.” Williams continued. “I just didn’t practice today.”
Shamet averaged 8.3 points on 39.4% shooting overall, 36.8% from 3 this season.
Those are all career lows for Shamet, who is in his fourth NBA season, but he’s coming off a season-high 27-point performance in last Sunday’s regular season finale against Sacramento at Footprint Center.
The Kings won, 116-109, but Shamet played well in starting for All-Star Devin Booker.
“(Shamet) is going to be back,” Suns center Deandre Ayton said. “We’re going to hold it down, but no matter who is on the court, we’re going to play Suns basketball. Nothing changes. Defense is still going to be the same. Chemistry. Moving the ball. Competing and just playing defense. Period. Nothing changes. We hope that he gets a quick, safe recovery. We’re just ready to battle.”
Shamet practiced Wednesday after the Suns didn’t practice Monday and Tuesday.
The 6-4 guard, who signed a four-year, $43-million rookie extension after arriving in Phoenix in a draft-day trade with Brooklyn, missed nine games this season with a right ankle sprain, three in NBA’s health and safety protocols and one with a right foot contusion.
The Suns went 11-2 in the 13 games Shamet missed, on their way to the NBA’s best record at 64-18.
“It’s part of the game, it’s very unfortunate,” said Suns forward Cam Johnson, who missed 13 games this season with right quad contusion. “Hope he gets better as quick as possible. He’s a big part of what we do, but you can’t let that discourage you or get you down or start thing, uh oh, here we go again.”
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism