Jusuf Nurkic Makes Unwanted NBA History in Suns' Early Playoff Exit

Karl Rasmussen | Apr 29, 2024

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) during the first round of the NBA Playoffs / Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns bowed out of the 2024 NBA Playoffs early, failing to win a single game against the Minnesota Timberwolves throughout a first-round sweep. Minnesota officially eliminated Phoenix Sunday night.

For center Jusuf Nurkic, the early playoff defeat is an all too familiar feeling.

Throughout his career in the NBA, Nurkic hasn't had much success when it comes to winning in the postseason. He's featured in five playoff series in his career, appearing in a total of 20 games throughout that span and never once escaping the first round.

In total, Nurkic owns a postseason record of 3–17, good for a winning percentage of just .150, the worst among any player in league history with at least 20 playoff games. Nurkic's .150 winning percentage is slightly worse than that of Darwin Cook, who owns a .200 winning percentage across 25 playoff games.

Nurkic, 29, has been to the playoffs four times with the Portland Trail Blazers and once with the Suns. He's been on the receiving end of a series sweep in three of those five trips. In his career, he averages 11.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 27.5 minutes per game in playoff contests.

This season, he averaged 26.0 minutes per game for Phoenix in the first round against the Timberwolves, logging 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.