Phoenix Suns' Josh Jackson to receive concussion testing

Scott Bordow | The Republic | azcentral.com

LAS VEGAS – The Suns had Saturday night off following their 71-63 win over the Sacramento Kings, but forward Josh Jackson wasn’t heading to the Strip.

Instead, Jackson said he planned to undergo concussion testing after catching an inadvertent elbow from Sacramento’s Marvin Bagley III above the right eye in the first half. The elbow opened up a cut that required four stitches and forced Jackson to play with a mask in the second half.

Jackson was called for a foul on the play he got hurt – “I don’t know how,” he said – but he got Bagley back in the second half. He raced down the floor to stuff Bagley’s layup attempt and then stood over the Kings’ rookie forward.

Asked if he was thinking about the elbow as he stood over Bagley, Jackson smiled widely and said, “Absolutely. That’s all I was thinking.”

Phoenix Suns' Josh Jackson on win against Sacramento Kings The Phoenix Suns' Josh Jackson talks to the press after the Suns' win against Sacramento Kings.

Jackson, who said he’s not sure if he’ll play in any of the Suns’ remaining summer-league games, has not shot well in Phoenix’s first two contests. He was 0 for 9 from the field in the first half Friday and made just 3 of 12 shots Saturday. After shooting just 26.3 percent from 3-point range last season, he said his goal is to shoot at least 30 percent from deep in 2018-19.

Bender's struggles

After finishing with more turnovers (five) than field goals (two) in Friday’s win, Dragan Bender was 0 for 5 from the field Saturday and had another three turnovers.

“He shouldn’t just see himself as a one-dimensional player,” coach Igor Kokoskov said. “Besides shooting 3s, there are so many other areas he can help, especially when those 3s don’t fall in. Defensive energy, length, size. A couple of times he was late defensively. Give a second effort, make a play to stay in the game and help us win.”

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Bridges feeling comfortable

Rookie forward Mikal Bridges has looked impressive in his first two games in a Suns uniform. Bridges had 14 points off the bench in Phoenix’s win on Friday and followed up with seven points, four rebounds and two steals in the Suns’ win over Sacramento.

Bridges said he had little doubt his skills would translate to the NBA.

“Yeah, I think I just knew my game would transition,” Bridges said. “Team ball, just catch and shoot, drive, kick, run the plays, defend. I knew that was just easy to transition over here.”

Trier a New Yorker

University of Arizona’s Allonzo Trier is ready for his shot. After going undrafted last month, the 6-5 guard signed with the New York Knicks for the NBA Summer League. In his debut against the Atlanta Hawks, he dropped 15 points in a win and said, “I know I can play with all these guys and I’m just as good as all these guys that got drafted.”

Trier reflected on his draft-night snub, even describing it as “absolutely shocking.” He thought the Knicks were going to select him with the No. 36 pick, but instead they chose big man Mitchell Robinson

“It changed after Mitchell Robinson fell, and their priority was a big so they had to pick him,” Trier said.”

Despite receiving offers from other teams, Trier was determined to play for the Knicks. Shortly after the draft, he inked a two-way contract between the NBA and G-League this season.

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-- Clevis Murray and Kirkpatrick Bado contributed to this report.