Suns Forward Yuta Watanabe Avoids Serious Injury

The Phoenix Suns have a handful of familiar names participating in international hoops at the moment.

Though the Bahamas aren't playing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, they're still in meaningful action with a string of future Olympic qualifying games currently being played. Suns players such as Eric Gordon and Deandre Ayton have looked good in the small amount of action they've faced thus far.

Though they play with the tag of "former Suns" next to them, Phoenix fans have kept close tabs on the status of Team USA's Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson as the two look to help the Americans win their third World Cup in the last four tries.

Phoenix forward Yuta Watanabe is another participating in international duty, as the Japanese star player has been helping his country tune up for Germany, Finland and Australia in the group phase of the World Cup.

In an earlier matchup against Angola as warm-up games begin to close, Watanabe suffered what appeared to be a right ankle injury.

Japan head coach Tom Hovasse says the injury wasn't serious (words via Kyodo News):

"According to Hovasse, MRI scans revealed Watanabe had not suffered serious damage and he may return to action Saturday against Slovenia, in the last of Japan's three SoftBank Cup exhibition games in Tokyo, after sitting out Thursday's clash with reigning Olympic silver medalist France.

"'It depends on his progress,' Hovasse said. '(He's) a little sore today, but he's OK. He had an MRI and it was fine.'"

Watanabe was one of the most exciting names Phoenix added in free agency, as the former Brooklyn Nets wing joined the Suns on a minimal two-year, $5 million deal - the second year being a player option according to Spotrac.

He figures to be the perfect complement to Kevin Durant, according to our own Everett Williams:

"What Watanabe offers to the Suns specifically is a high energy player that will fit head coach Frank Vogel’s style on the defensive end. Watanabe, although likely not a starter, will see minutes in the game, especially when Durant is on the floor.

"Durant and Watanabe played in Brooklyn for only one season last year and only 26 games together. But the chemistry between the two was evident, Durant and Watanabe’s relationship both on and off the floor was something that the Suns considered in the off season, thus striking the deal with the 27 year old Watanabe."