Eric Bledsoe has recovered from knee surgery, and is now regaining his stamina before rejoining the Phoenix Suns on the court. The explosive point guard is expected to suit up in the next week. Per the AZ Republic:
Bledsoe will return to game action for the Suns in the next week. The point guard will play no later than next Wednesday’s home game against Cleveland and no earlier than Sunday at Golden State.
The Suns also play Monday at the Los Angeles Clippers, Bledsoe’s former team, at the Staples Center, where he injured his knee in a Dec. 30 win. Bledsoe underwent arthroscopic surgery Jan. 10 and has been rehabilitating it with significant recent progress. On Wednesday, Bledsoe participated in full-court, five-on-five scrimmaging for the third time in five days.
Of the three return date options, a Sunday return is the least likely because the Suns play again a night later after a short flight.
Bledsoe received glowing reviews for his play in closed scrimmaging from Coach Jeff Hornacek and teammates who he expressed appreciation for getting him ready during the season’s dog days. Bledsoe has been sore from conditioning but there have been no issues with the right knee that underwent surgery.
Bledsoe averaged 18.0 points and 5.8 assists this season when the Suns went 16-8 with him.
“You don’t know how they’ll come back,” Hornacek said. “We might bring Eric in off the bench a little bit. We hope he’s there at the end of game. If you throw him right into the starting lineup, it might screw you up for a few games.
“It screws up guys’ roles. Some of the other guys who had to step it up and take more shots are maybe deferring because a main guy comes back.”
