Bender will start Wednesday's game against Utah, Scott Bordow of AZCentral.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Tyson Chandler (neck) being held out, the Suns will pivot to Bender, who will move up from power forward to center Wednesday. Bender has played a least 30 minutes in each of his last four games, but he's been inconsistent, scoring eight points, 12 points, 23 points and three points, respectively, in those four contests.

Bender posted three points (1-6 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-3 FT) and three rebounds in 30 minutes during Mondays 129-83 loss to the Warriors.

EDGE Analysis

In Bender's defense, no one besides Elfird Payton could establish much production against the Warriors but it should be noted that Bender seems to be receiving too much credit for the few games where he puts up great numbers. He's put up some real clunkers in between those excellent outings, but the Suns are pushing the youth movement, and the 19-year-old will see plenty o opportunities moving forward. His usage alone puts him on the fantasy radar but expectations should be tempered, and only the deepest of leagues should consider ownership.

Bender posted 23 points (9-15 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, two blocked shots and a steal in 33 minutes during Saturday's 123-113 loss to the Nuggets.

EDGE Analysis

Bender's 23 points were a season-high for the 19-year-old, who's seen more minutes despite an erratic collection of games. The Suns have been prone to switch starting lineups nightly, and Bender has been bounced around as a result. In the past week, he's been a regular starter at the four and his stat lines have been a bit more consistent, but he's not a lock for that spot, as Marquese Chriss will see more time at the four when Tyson Chandler returns. At the moment he is a bit too inconsistent to warrant ownership in most formats, although he has some value as a tournament option in DFS contests.

Bender offered eight points (2-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds and four assists across 38 minutes in Tuesday's 112-93 loss to the Lakers.

EDGE Analysis

The 2016 fourth overall pick drew a second straight start for Marquese Chriss, although the latter was back Tuesday from his one-game suspension. However, Bender couldn't come close to replicating his offensive success from the prior two games, a span during which he'd drained 15 of his 19 shot attempts while averaging 17.0 points during those contests. It remains to be seen if the 20-year-old will retain his first-unit role when the Suns face off with the Spurs on Wednesday.

Bender will remain in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Lakers, Scott Bordow of AZCentral.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bender started in place of the suspended Marquese Chriss on Sunday against the Hornets and finished with 18 points, five rebounds and an assists in 27 minutes of action. While Chriss will be available Tuesday, interim coach Jay Triano will stick with Bender for matchup purposes in an attempt to draw Julius Randle and Brook Lopez away from the basket. The expectation is that Chriss will eventually return to the starting five, but Bender could see a slight boost in minutes for the time being.

Bender mustered 18 points (7-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt) five rebounds and one assist across 27 minutes in Sunday's 115-110 loss to the Hornets.

EDGE Analysis

Bender got the start at power forward for Marquese Chriss (personal) and turned in a solid shooting effort. The 2016 fourth overall pick has averaged 17.0 points over the last two games, draining eight of 14 attempts from behind the arc during that stretch. Given Chriss' recent struggles when he has been on the court, it's plausible Bender might continue seeing some run with the first unit as head coach Jay Triano experiments with different first-unit combos.

Bender will start at power forward Sunday against the Hornets, Craig Grialou of ArizonaSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He'll enter the starting five in place of Marquese Chriss, who isn't with the team after the Suns handed the 20-year-old a one-game suspension for getting in a verbal confrontation with an assistant coach Friday. It's unclear if Chriss will slot back into the starting five for the Suns' following game Tuesday in Los Angeles against the Lakers, but Bender should nonetheless notice a steady bump in playing time for at least one game. Bender was stellar off the bench in Friday's loss to the Jazz, producing 16 points (5-10 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, five assists and one block in 28 minutes.

Bender tallied 16 points (5-10 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, five assists and one block across 28 minutes in Friday's 129-97 loss to the Jazz.

EDGE Analysis

Bender saw extended run in the blowout defeat, leading to his best scoring total since Jan. 7. The 2016 fourth overall pick has been seeing a solid allotment of playing time throughout the season, but offensive surges like Friday's have been few and far between. Bender is obviously capable of the occasional double-digit scoring effort, but his inconsistency keeps his fantasy value limited to deeper formats for the time being, despite starter Marquese Chriss' own inconsistency and injury issues.

Bender will return to a reserve role for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks.

EDGE Analysis

Bender will head back to the bench with Marquese Chriss (ankle) returning from a one-game absence. With Alex Len (ankle) and Greg Monroe (buyout) both unavailable for Wednesday's tilt, Bender should still see a fair share of minutes off the bench. He's averaging 5.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 22.4 minutes per game this season.

Bender was held scoreless (0-2) in 20 minutes of action Monday against the Timberwolves.

EDGE Analysis

Bender started in place of the injured Marquese Chriss and failed to make an impact, though he did bring down two rebounds, a steal and an assist to go with three turnovers. The 20-year-old has struggled on the whole this season, and Monday marked the third time in the last four games that Bender has gone scoreless, despite averaging more than 20 minutes during that span.