Suns' Ighodaro Plays All 82 Games, Faces Tough Play-In Matchup

Phoenix forward Oso Ighodaro's durability will be key as the Suns fight to keep their season alive.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:25pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a basketball player on the court, rendered in the vibrant colors of the Phoenix Suns' team palette.Oso Ighodaro's relentless energy and hustle will be crucial as the Phoenix Suns fight to keep their season alive in the NBA Play-In Tournament.Phoenix Today

Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro played in all 82 games this season, a rare feat in the NBA. His high school coach credits Ighodaro's work ethic and love for the game for his consistent availability. Now, Ighodaro and the Suns face a win-or-go-home Play-In Tournament matchup against either the Los Angeles Clippers or Golden State Warriors, with Ighodaro acknowledging the challenges posed by stars like Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Curry.

Why it matters

Ighodaro's durability is an important asset for the Suns as they try to extend their season. Taller players often struggle with injuries, but Ighodaro has managed to stay healthy throughout his career. The Suns will need his availability and production if they hope to advance past the Play-In Tournament.

The details

Ighodaro, who stands nearly 7 feet tall and weighs 235 pounds, played in all 82 games this season, the first Suns player to do so since Mikal Bridges in 2022. Ighodaro credits his offseason work in the weight room and daily tendon care for his ability to stay on the court. His high school coach, Gino Crump Sr., says Ighodaro has rarely missed time due to injury, with the exception of a finger fracture his sophomore year.

  • Ighodaro played in all 82 games this NBA season.
  • The Suns will face either the Los Angeles Clippers or Golden State Warriors in the NBA Play-In Tournament on April 17, 2026.

The players

Oso Ighodaro

A 7-foot, 235-pound forward for the Phoenix Suns who played in all 82 games this season, a rare feat in the NBA.

Gino Crump Sr.

Ighodaro's high school coach at Phoenix Desert Vista, where Ighodaro starred from 2016-2020 and helped lead the team to a state championship.

Kawhi Leonard

A star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game this season.

Stephen Curry

A star guard for the Golden State Warriors who has been dealing with a knee injury since the All-Star break but recently returned to action.

Jalen Green

A guard for the Phoenix Suns who scored 35 points in their loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in the Play-In Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like it's a testimony to my work in the offseason. I definitely take pride in that.”

— Oso Ighodaro, Phoenix Suns Forward

“He was blessed. He had a fluke injury sophomore year, a kid hit his finger at practice and broke it. He missed a majority of the season. But other than that, he's never had any injuries. Always consistent his whole career.”

— Gino Crump Sr., Ighodaro's High School Coach

“The head of the snake is Kawhi, everything starts with him. They have good perimeter defenders, Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr. They're a versatile team. Then they bring their bench in, play a little bit faster. They got a good little mix of everything.”

— Oso Ighodaro, Phoenix Suns Forward

“No matter who they have out there, they still stick to their identity, play extremely hard. They're a tough matchup as well.”

— Oso Ighodaro, Phoenix Suns Forward

What’s next

The Suns will face either the Los Angeles Clippers or Golden State Warriors in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Friday, April 17, 2026, with a spot in the playoffs on the line.

The takeaway

Oso Ighodaro's durability and work ethic have been crucial for the Suns this season, and they will need his availability and production if they hope to extend their season past the Play-In Tournament. The Suns face a tough challenge against either the star-studded Clippers or the experienced Warriors, but Ighodaro's consistency could give them an edge.