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A major shock to many came when Luke Kennard sustained a knee injury against the San Antonio Spurs during the team’s third preseason game. Although head coach Jordan Ott didn’t express too much concern, there was a reason.
He didn’t play in the preseason finale, but got some extra work in on Monday. While the Suns can make Kennard the steal of free agency, making sure he plays is a priority.
With two days before the season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, Ott said that Kennard is in a good place.
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“He did more today, for sure, in practice,” he explained following Monday’s practice via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin on X (formerly Twitter).
“This was kind of a test day to see exactly where he’s at. Tomorrow will be a lower day. Try to be right for Wednesday.”
Luke Kennard’s debut would round out the Suns roster
Besides the three-point marksman, everyone is healthy and good to go for Wednesday. But having him active and able to play at complete strength would be a major win.
Throughout the preseason, Suns teammates were raving about Kennard’s ability as a complete player. Obviously, the shooting is superb, but the playmaking and initiating the offense go under the radar.
With a highly competitive and well-rounded Blazers team, having their premier perimeter option would be a massive boost.
He would round out the bench unit with him, Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Ryan Dunn, and possibly either Khaman Maluach or Oso Ighodaro.
Not to mention, if Kennard is healthy, it would be one of the few times that the Suns have been fully healthy. They had their struggles with the health bug last season, most evidently with Jalen Green missing the beginning of the season.
Ott’s comments are encouraging, but all the signs are up in the air as to whether his shooting guard will make his debut with his teammates.
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