Phoenix Suns big Dario Saric showing no limitations with right knee playing for Croatian national team

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Dario Saric got his wish.

After missing the entire 2021-22 NBA season rehabbing and returning from a torn right ACL knee injury suffered in the 2021 finals, Saric wanted to play for his Croatian national team before rejoining the Phoenix Suns for training camp, which begins next month.

"I’m trying to do the national team this year, a couple of games before training camp, to have some competition games,” said Saric at last month's NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Saric has since suited up for the Croatian national team in FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers and Friendly International this month, showing no limitations in displaying the skills and qualities that make him a key player for the Suns.

The 6-10 big didn't finish every inside basket, make every 3 attempt or grab all the boards. He gave up bucket and committed fouls, but Saric did everything, good and bad, without a brace or any wrap at all on his right knee.

Saric's best scoring output came in a 94-88 loss Aug. 20 to Slovenia in the Friendly International games.

Scoring 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting in 26 minutes, Saric made four of his seven 3-pointers in outscoring Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic (10 points on 2-of-9) and grabbed six boards.

Not known for his defense, Saric stayed in front of Doncic on the perimeter and forced the All-NBA first team selection into a tough baseline fader that misfired.

Looking in great condition and wearing his hair pullback with a slight ponytail, Saric hit 3s in transition and in the halfcourt. The rugged power forward delivered pinpoint dimes to cutters for layups and exhibited that grit in diving on the floor for a loose ball.

Being able to shoot and pass makes Saric a valuable big, but his Suns teammates fed off those effort plays.

"Dario is our guy," said Suns All-Star Devin Booker after Game 1 of the 2021 finals in Phoenix. "He's our energy in the locker room that you guys don't get to see, but we love him."

Beyond the production, Saric ran freely with pace and effort – and wasn't wincing or showing any signs of experiencing pain.

That's huge for him and the Suns.

Saric had a slight setback when having a successful arthroscopic procedure to the meniscus of his right knee that kept him out indefinitely during the Dallas series in May, which the Suns lost in seven.

Two months later, Saric started contact workouts with the Suns coaches.

"I know it’s not the same as playing in games, but that’s why I saw I’d like to play with the national team and have those kind of games, those competition games,” Saric said in Vegas.

Saric has since played in those "competitive games" for the Croatian national team.

He's been part of an NBA frontcourt playing alongside center Ivica Zubac (Clippers) and forward Bojan Bogdanovic (Jazz). Wearing No. 9, Saric posted nine points, six rebounds and six assists in Croatia's 72-69 win at Poland last week.

With the scored tied, 51-51, in the fourth quarter, Saric, after setting a screen, popped to the top of the 3-point line, found Zubac inside for a layup and reacted with a fist pump.

Saric later got loose inside to tie the game, 57-57, with 4:44 remaining. Playing 28 minutes, Saric shot just 3-of-9, missing all four of his 3-point attempts.

Three days later, Saric scored 13 on 3-of-7 in helping Croatia push past Switzerland with relative ease, 84-53, at home Sunday.

Going 1-of-3 on 3s and 6-of-6 from the line, Saric also grabbed seven rebounds in 19 minutes.

Before those two games, Saric saw action in the Friendly International against Hungary and Slovenia. He posted nine points, three assists and managed one rebound in a 20-point victory over Hungary.

Saric went 3-of-8 from the field, missing both of his 3s.

Two days later, Saric broke loose for with the 18-point effort against Slovenia fueled by four makes from deep.

The scoring is one thing. Saric can do that as he has a career scoring average of 11.7 points in five NBA seasons.

This isn't counting the 2021-22 season he missed.

Playing quality minutes and getting to the line are two stat lines that shows he's not only in shape, but is being aggressive and not restricted after the knee injury.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns' Dario Saric looks ready after playing for Croatian national team