Thunder's Dario Saric: Efficient effort versus Warriors
Rotowire
Saric contributed 14 points (6-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal across 15 minutes during Tuesday's 137-128 victory over the Warriors.
Saric finished in double figures in the scoring column for the fourth time in the last five games after failing to reach double digits in the three games prior to that. Surprisingly, he continues to reach the threshold on limited playing time, logging 17 or fewer minutes in each of the last four tilts. Saric should continue to hoist shots frequently as a reserve, but he's connecting on 67.6 percent of his shots over his recent hot streak, so there's likely some regression in the scoring column on the way unless his playing time picks up.
Saric closed Tuesday's 123-117 loss to the Kings with 21 points (7-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 5-5 FT), eight rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes.
Saric was terrific in Tuesday's loss, scoring a season-high 21 points off the bench. As with just about every Thunder player, his role is unpredictable from one night to the next, meaning a performance like this is hard to get behind. There is no reason to be adding him based on this effort alone, although he is a player to watch in case he somehow carves out a consistent role down the stretch.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Dario Saric: Turns in strong per-minute numbers
Rotowire
Saric delivered 12 points (4-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds and one steal across 14 minutes in Wednesday's 133-96 win over the Rockets.
Making his Thunder debut, Saric was able to make most of his modest bench role, but Oklahoma City's ever-changing frontcourt rotation makes it tough to discern whether the veteran big man will have the opportunity to consistently replicate this sort of performance. Saric's role will likely be worth tracking over the next handful of games before a firmer determination can be made regarding whether he's a reliable pickup in 14-team leagues or deeper.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Dario Saric: Left off injury report
Rotowire
Saric isn't listed on the Thunder's injury report ahead of Monday's game agains the Pelicans.
After being acquired from the Suns on Thursday, Saric sat out the Thunder's 138-129 win over the Trail Blazers on Friday. Now that Saric has gotten the chance to practice with his new squad at least once, he could be incorporated in the rotation Monday in his Thunder debut. Even if he's used off the bench, Saric likely won't be in line for significant minutes.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Dario Saric: Won't play Friday
Rotowire
Saric (coach's decision) is out for Friday's game versus Portland, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
The Thunder acquired Saric from Phoenix on Thursday in exchange for Darius Bazley and a 2029 second-round pick. Once available to make his Oklahoma City debut, Saric will compete for reserve minutes in the frontcout. His next chance to make his first appearance with the Thunder will arrive Monday versus the Pelicans.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Dealt to Oklahoma City
Rotowire
The Suns traded Saric to the Thunder for Darius Bazley and a second-round pick, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Saric averaged 5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 14.4 minutes across 37 games for the Suns this season. His departure will likely open up playing time for Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo in Phoenix. Saric will likely compete for rotation minutes in the Thunder's bench unit.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Back to bench Saturday
Rotowire
Saric is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Pistons.
Saric accumulated 14 points (5-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt), 13 rebounds and three assists across 30 minutes during Friday's 106-94 victory over the Celtics, but he heads back to the bench with Cameron Johnson (knee) being available and in the starting unit. Saric is averaging 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds across 11.1 minutes per game when coming off the bench this season.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Records double-double Friday
Rotowire
Saric accumulated 14 points (5-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt), 13 rebounds and three assists across 30 minutes during Friday's 106-94 victory over the Celtics.
Saric got the starting nod in place of Cameron Johnson (knee), and while he wasn't efficient from the field, he still ended with one of Phoenix's better scoring totals, also notching his first double-double of the campaign. The veteran has scored in double digits in five of his last seven outings, and he could remain in the starting lineup if Johnson can't go against the Pistons on Saturday in the second half of a back-to-back set.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Gets starting nod
Rotowire
Saric is in the starting five for Friday's game versus the Celtics.
Saric will replace Cameron Johnson (knee) in the starting lineup Friday. The 28-year-old big man is averaging 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 20.1 minutes across his previous 11 starts this season.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Impresses off bench
Rotowire
Saric ended with 19 points (6-9 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and one block over 24 minutes during Tuesday's 128-97 win over the Hornets.
Saric led the Phoenix bench with 19 points with the help of three triples on four tries. He also registered eight rebounds for a second straight game. Saric has notably received a heavier workload in his last two contests, logging 21 and 24 minutes, respectively, which is well above his season average of 13.8 minutes per matchup.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Produces in move to bench
Rotowire
Saric finished with 14 points (4-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-7 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and three steals across 21 minutes in Sunday's 112-110 win over the Grizzlies.
After starting in each of the past seven games, Saric was moved to the bench with Chris Paul (hip) and Cameron Johnson (rest) returning to the lineup. Considering Saric had received just eight minutes in both of the Suns' past two contests, he looked like a logical candidate to move out of the rotation entirely, but he instead saw an uptick in playing time while Duane Washington (zero minutes) and Ish Wainright (three minutes) were essentially cut out of Phoenix's second unit. Based on how he performed Sunday, Saric may have extended his leash in head coach Monty Williams' rotation, but the 28-year-old still appears at risk of losing playing time once players like Deandre Ayton (illness), Devin Booker (groin), Landry Shamet (foot) and Cameron Payne (foot) make their returns from injury.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Produces across board as starter
Rotowire
Saric finished with 12 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and five assists across 23 minutes in Monday's 136-106 loss to the Grizzlies.
Though he was a minus-17 during his time on the court, Saric contributed a decent stat line in the blowout loss. While starting in each of his last six appearances, Saric has posted averages of 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 three-pointers and 1.0 steals in 23.7 minutes per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the floor, numbers that give him a degree of utility in 14-team leagues or deeper. However, Saric is a prime candidate to lose out on playing time as soon as the Suns get one or two of their injured rotation players back in the fold -- Cameron Johnson (knee) and Chris Paul (hip) appear to be the closest to returning.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Nears double-double in win
Rotowire
Saric racked up 19 points (7-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 30 minutes during Tuesday's 125-113 victory over Golden State.
Saric was limited to three points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in Sunday's start against the Cavaliers despite playing 26 minutes, but he was much more efficient Tuesday and came within one rebound of his first double-double of the season. He's played double-digit minutes in four of his last five appearances and has averaged 8.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 20.8 minutes per game during that time.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Gets starting nod
Rotowire
Saric is in the starting lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cavaliers.
Saric will start alongside Deandre Ayton as the Suns opt to go big with Chris Paul (hip) out. Saric is averaging 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 20.5 minutes across his four previous starts this season.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Back to bench Friday
Rotowire
Saric isn't starting Friday's game against the Heat.
Saric drew the start over Torrey Craig on Wednesday, but the two forwards will revert to their usual roles Friday. Across 17 games as a reserve, Saric has averaged 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in 8.8 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Gets another start Wednesday
Rotowire
Saric will start Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers.
Saric will get the nod over Torrey Craig, who'd started 27 straight appearances. Over his past three starts this season, Saric averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 21.0 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Returns to bench Tuesday
Rotowire
Saric isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Rockets.
Landry Shamet will replace Dario Saric in the starting five Tuesday. Saric posted five points, three rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes during his third start of the season Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Starting in place of Booker
Rotowire
Suns head coach Monty Williams said Saric will start Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Saric will presumably slot in at power forward, while Torrey Craig joins Mikal Bridges on the wing in the absence of Devin Booker (hamstring). Don't expect Saric to directly absorb Bridges' season average of 35.4 minutes per game -- that playing time will likely be split among a collection of players that includes Saric, Damion Lee, Josh Okogie and Landry Shamet.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Starting in place of Booker
Rotowire
Suns head coach Monty Williams said Saric will start Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Saric will presumably slot in at power forward, while Torrey Craig joins Mikal Bridges on the wing in the absence of Devin Booker (hamstring). Don't expect Saric to directly absorb Bridges' season average of 35.4 minutes per game -- that playing time will likely be split among a collection of players that includes Saric, Damion Lee, Josh Okogie and Landry Shamet.
... See More... See Less
Suns' Dario Saric: Posts season high in scoring
Rotowire
Saric recorded 17 points (6-8 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds and two assists over 21 minutes during Sunday's 133-95 win over the Spurs.
Saric was one of six Suns players to reach double figures in scoring in Sunday's win, setting a season high in scoring while connecting on a season-best mark from three. Saric has scored five or more points on three occasions this year.
