Jusuf Nurkic apparently has gone from starting center to persona non grata with the Phoenix Suns. Nurkic hasn't played since a Jan. 7 loss to the Charlotte Hornets when he scored eight points and pulled down three rebounds in 19 minutes.

Things are looking up for the Phoenix Suns on the basketball court these days. The same can’t be said for Jusuf Nurkic. The struggling Nurkic has gone from the starting center to a benchwarmer in the space of about a month.

Suns center Jusuf Nurkić said he and head coach Mike Budenholzer "don't have a relationship" in the aftermath of his benching.