Phoenix Suns small forward TJ Warren is still not cleared to play more than three weeks after suffering a head injury in a Nov. 18 game against the Indiana Pacers.
The Suns won the contest, 116-96, but Warren played only nine minutes, scoring two points before he was taken out to the locker room to get treated. He never went back to the court since then.
After a series of tests, the 23-year-old Warren, who had been a revelation for the Suns this season, was then ruled out indefinitely due to a "minor head injury" on Nov. 23.
Warren compiled averages of 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.9 steals in 32.4 minutes per game in 13 games this season before succumbing to the injury. It was a significant increase from the 11.0 points, 3.1 boards, 0.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 22.8 minutes he averaged last season.
AZ Central reported that Warren had already "returned to practice with contact", but was "limited to three-on-three, half-court play" as the former NC State standout is still not cleared by team doctors to play.
However, Suns head coach Earl Watson was hopeful that he could be back soon.
"T.J. looked solid," said Watson, via ESPN. "He played well. You can tell his timing's not back yet. It'll come with time. He needs to get game experience in order to get that back."
"He's not cleared to play games yet," the coach disclosed. "Right now, the first thing and foremost is for him to get into practice and get some type of competition in half-court, if not full-court."
Watson acknowledged Warren's accomplishments so far this season by saying that he is "arguably our most consistent player until he got injured" and that it is "important to have him back" soonest.
Rumors are out that if Warren would feel good enough after Monday's practice, then he will suit up either against the New York Knicks on Tuesday or the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
