Suns update: Mikal Bridges (knee) available at Spurs, Chris Paul (heel), Torrey Craig (groin) out

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

SAN ANTONIO — Mikal Bridges spent a great deal of Saturday's practice at AT&T Center on the bike, but stayed involved as only the Phoenix Suns wing can.

"Messing with everybody cause he couldn't get on the floor like he wanted to," Suns coach Monty Williams said. "He was like, 'That's how I'll contribute, by being a pain in the butt.' I loved it."

Bridges is available for Sunday's 2 p.m. game at San Antonio (6-17) as he was listed as probable Saturday with right knee soreness after feeling as if he hyperextended his right knee in late Friday's upset home loss to Houston.

"One, it's his genetic makeup, his DNA, his will to play," Williams said. "Then I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about the medical staff that does a really good job of making sure he's in a good place. They wouldn't put him on the floor if they thought he was in harm's way, but a lot of it is just him. He just loves to play."

Bridges has played in 331 consecutive games dating back to the start of his 2018-19 rookie season. After leading the league in total minutes played last season, Bridges is first this season in minutes per game at 37.3.

Dec 2, 2022; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Mikal Bridges (25) defends a shot by Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) at Footprint Center.
Dec 2, 2022; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Mikal Bridges (25) defends a shot by Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) at Footprint Center.

"That's Mr. Durability man, but I can tell you this, he takes advantage of his times to take care of his body," Suns center Deandre Ayton said. "It's contagious because he helps me look after my body as well. I'm thinking there's times, OK, I just want to play the game today, but Mikal is taking care of his body. I try to do the same thing. There's a reason why he can't miss any games cause the man knows his body very well and that little thing that can take me out for three days probably will only take him out for a second cause that's Mr. Durability."

Bridges injured his knee Friday guarding a driving Jalen Green. When he fell backwards and put his hands down to brace the fall, it looked as if his right foot got stuck on the court.

He rolled over, was grimacing while standing up, but was in the game for the final possession. Bridges got a offensive rebound on the final possession, but was unable to finish the shot as Phoenix (15-7) missed four looks in the final 19 seconds of the loss.

"I was just trying to win the game," Bridges said after Friday's loss. "Just trying to attack the glass and trying to help us win."

Bridges explained his willingness to play through pain is a product of his time at Villanova where he won two national titles.

"Coach (Jay) Wright preached get up every time," Bridges said. "Unless you're seriously injured, but other than that, just get up. So I kind of take that from him."

Bridges has continued that in the NBA.

"He takes all the supplements correctly," Ayton continued about Bridges. "He's in the weight room all the time and he's always getting treatment I see it with my own eyes. You come into the (practice) facility and Mikal's on the table before practice or in the weight room."

Chris Paul (heel) and Torrey Craig (groin) are both out for Sunday's game, but they made the trip as Phoenix plays Monday at Dallas in a rematch of last season's Western Conference semifinals the Mavericks won in seven games.

Dec 2, 2022; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul talks to his teammates as they take on the Houston Rockets at Footprint Center.
Dec 2, 2022; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul talks to his teammates as they take on the Houston Rockets at Footprint Center.

Paul will miss his 13th consecutive game as he hasn't played since Nov. 7 at Philadelphia when injuring the heel trying to get around a screen from 76ers big Paul Reed.

Craig sat out Friday's game to mark the first game he's missed this season. Craig has been starting in place of Cam Johnson, who suffered a torn right meniscus Nov. 4 against Portland.

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.

Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mikal Bridges (knee) probable, Chris Paul (heel), Torrey Craig (groin) out