Bender posted 11 points (5-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt), 13 rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks across 27 minutes during a 131-115 loss to the Rockets on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Bender shined in an otherwise dismal game from the Suns, who were down by 27 after three quarters. The rookie had not scored in Phoenix's four previous games but went off for his first double-double. It was by far the best game of Bender's young career, as he had not grabbed more than four rebounds in a game before this one. The three steals were also a season high. His first opportunity to build off this performance comes Wednesday against San Antonio.

Bender recorded three points (1-5 FG, 1-5 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist across a season-high 28 minutes in Tuesday's 112-105 loss to the Jazz.

EDGE Analysis

Bender has been one of the main beneficiaries from the extended absence of T.J. Warren (head), as he's entered the rotation in seven of the last eight contests. He's seen his workload expand over the last two games in particular, seeing 25-plus minutes in each contest. Still, with Bender shooting just 39.2 percent on the season and not offering much of an impact on the defensive end, it will be difficult for him to provide fantasy value as a rookie even if he continues to see a sizable workload.

Bender provided 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist and one block across 23 minutes in Tuesday's 124-121 loss to the Trail Blazers.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Earl Watson dropped veteran Jared Dudley from the starting power-forward role to begin the game, but it was fellow rookie Marquese Chriss that entered the top unit over Bender. That was to be expected given that Bender had been excluded from Watson's rotation in the preceding three games, but the Croatian big man managed to get back into the mix Wednesday with starting center Tyson Chandler (personal) unavailable. Once Chandler returns, Bender's playing time could take a hit in the short term, but his minutes could expand significantly in the second half if Watson chooses to phase out some of the veterans for younger options.

Bender (coach's decision) didn't see the floor in Sunday's 119-108 loss to the Lakers.

EDGE Analysis

After Bender scored 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting during garbage time of the Oct. 26 opener against the Kings, coach Earl Watson suggested the rookie would get an opportunity to vie for a regular rotation role, but that didn't prove long lasting. After playing a combined 15 minutes in the three games following the opener, Bender hasn't seen the floor at all in three consecutive competitive contests against the Trail Blazers, Pelicans and Lakers. For the time being, it looks like most of Bender's chances to see the floor will come during the second half of blowouts.

Coach Earl Watson said after Wednesday's season-opening loss to the Kings that Bender and Tyler Ulis will temporarily replace P.J. Tucker and Leandro Barbosa in the second unit, Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic reports. "To me, they play with the most heart," Watson said in regards to Ulis and Bender. "Heart gets rewarded."

EDGE Analysis

Bender saw just 12 minutes of playing time on Wednesday, but was very effective in limited time, notching an efficient 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-3 3Pt), to go along with two rebounds and a steal. He'll be rewarded for his efforts, at least temporarily, and could see his minutes climb into the upper teens or the low 20's over the next few games. That said, P.J. Tucker is just returning from a back injury and could command more of role once he's able to get his conditioning in order, which could hurt Bender's chances of keeping a consistent rotational role.

Bender posted a preseason-high 11 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), along with seven rebounds and an assist over 26 minutes in Friday's 112-107 preseason win over the Mavs.

EDGE Analysis

Bender had logged four unremarkable performances before Friday, but his production against the Mavs certainly provided reason for optimism. Not only was the 18-year-old's scoring total a personal best, but so were the seven boards he hauled in. Bender also drained multiple threes for the first time, flashing the surprising outside shot he possesses for a seven-footer. Although he's undeniably a long-term project, the rookie's tantalizing potential should help him carve out some minutes this season in what is shaping up as a fairly deep Phoenix frontcourt.

Bender supplied five points (2-6 FG, 1-5 3Pt), three rebounds, an assist and a block across 18 minutes in Friday's 115-110 preseason loss to the Blazers.

EDGE Analysis

The 18-year-old has strung together a pair of decent performances since failing to score over 24 minutes in the exhibition opener on Monday, but is still lagging considerably behind fellow rookie Marquese Chriss, who's managed double-digit scoring efforts in all three preseason games. Bender did drain his first three-pointer as a pro Friday, and his ability to score away from the basket is one of the unique traits that the 7-foot-1 swingman brings to the table. He should see plenty of minutes during the exhibition slate to further acclimate to the speed of the pro game and should have opportunity for minutes at center, power forward and small forward come the regular season if he proves worthy of them.

Suns coach Earl Watson said Monday that Bender could see time at small forward, power forward and center this season, Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though the Suns spent top 10 picks on both Bender and Marquese Chriss this past June, both are still somewhat raw and will open the season in bench roles, with Watson proclaiming that T.J. Warren, Jared Dudley and Tyson Chandler are his three starters in the frontcourt. The 7-foot-1 Bender figures to be a rotation option off the bench to give the Suns some additional size at power forward along with some outside shooting, and the big man's positional versatility also helps his case for finding more time. While Bender has multiple different avenues to playing time, the 19-year-old will need to show that he's deserving of it after an uninspiring showing in summer league. His summer struggles carried over to Monday's preseason opener against the Spurs, during which Bender scored zero points (0-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and added four rebounds, one assist and one block while committing four fouls in 24 minutes.

Bender is dealing with a sprained ankle and won't play in Sunday's summer league matchup with the Timberwolves, Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The fourth overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, Bender has had a less than stellar start to the summer league. Over five games, he's posted averages of 8.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.0 block over 32 minutes per game. What was more disappointing was his poor efficiency from the field, as he shot just 27 percent from the floor and 26 percent from beyond the arc. The good news is that there's plenty of time before the start of training camp, so Bender will have time to heal and time to hone in on his shooting stroke. The 18-year-old still projects to see good minutes in his rookie season.