Suns pickup former Celtics teammates with pair of moves

About three hours after playing a DLeague game for Idaho, Phil Pressey took the call that let him know he would be with the Suns.

He was sharing the news later with former Boston teammate Kelly Olynyk, who told him that their 2013-14 Celtics teammate Kris Humphries had just been traded to Phoenix.

With Thursday’s trade and mounting injuries, the Suns’ game programs proved valuable in letting fans know the No. 43 who posted 18 points and 12 rebounds Friday (Humphries) and who will wear No. 25 for them Sunday (Pressey).

The Suns did not intend for Humphries to play Friday night, especially at center, until Alex Len could not play due to a right ankle sprain he suffered Thursday and Tyson Chandler left the game in the first half with a right shoulder bruise. Chandler’s shoulder injury, called a sprain Friday, was changed to a bruise after he underwent an MRI exam Saturday.

Len is probable to play today while Chandler is questionable, but the Suns can turn to Humphries, who played well for not knowing the playbook and having logged only four minutes with Washington since Jan. 3.

In 27 minutes, Humphries made 5 of 13 shots and added two blocked shots.

“I’ve always been kind of a hustle player, just rebound and defend on the floor,” Humphries said. “I can bring that to this team.

“I’m in shape to play that many minutes, but the way I want to play, more up and down, I’ve got to get in better shape.”

Pressey, a 5-11 point guard, played his first two seasons with Boston but was waived after summer league in July, setting off a circuitous route to Phoenix.

He played for Portland and Utah during the preseason but was waived by both before going to Idaho, where he got a quick call-up for 12 games with Philadelphia. He was waived by the 76ers on Dec. 4.

“I wasn’t wondering if it was going to happen, just when,” Pressey said of getting another chance.

The Suns have one active point guard, Ronnie Price, who just returned Friday, and two point guards, Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, who are out hurt.

Pressey, the son of former 11-year NBA guard Paul Pressey, was averaging 13.0 points, 6.4 assists, 3.2 turnovers and 1.7 steals for Idaho.

He said the consistent time helped his shooting confidence. Pressey, 25, made 44 percent of his shots for Idaho after making 34 percent in the NBA.

“I’m going to play my tail off and hopefully I can bring some energy to this team,” Pressey said.

Not again

Chandler never had strained a hamstring in his 15 seasons until he did that earlier this season and still is bothered by it.

Now he has a shoulder injury for the first time after bruising his right shoulder in Friday’s second quarter.

Saturday’s tests were a relief for Chandler, who said he will return soon. He is listed as questionable for Sunday against San Antonio.

“I want to get out there, especially right now,” Chandler said. “I need to be out there with the team. I need to be out there for Earl (Watson).”

It looks promising for Len to return Sunday against San Antonio and start.

If he does, he will get a steady diet of post-up chances now that the Suns traded Markieff Morris.