Goodwin Out as Suns Face Trail Blazers

Jordan Goodwin was ruled out of Phoenix’s November 4 home game against the Portland Trail Blazers after he was unable to show he was ready to play. The guard had been listed as questionable with right calf soreness, an injury sustained in Monday’s loss to Golden State. Coach Jordan Ott had called him a game-time decision before the game.

Goodwin is among the Suns unavailable, along with Rasheer Fleming and Mark Williams. Portland will be without Ja Morant, who has a left hamstring injury, and Shaedon Sharpe, who is recovering from right meniscus surgery. The game at Mortgage Matchup Center was scheduled to start shortly after 7 p.m. Mountain time.

Phoenix entered the matchup at 1-4 and looking to reverse a difficult start. Goodwin’s rebounding on offense, work chasing loose balls and energy off the bench have been important to the team, which has often depended on its reserves to change the pace of a game.

The Suns also hoped to improve on their performance against Portland on the boards. In the teams’ season opener, the Trail Blazers collected 56 rebounds to Phoenix’s 39. Center Oso Ighodaro said the Suns need to communicate more consistently, particularly when teammates are still learning one another’s habits.