Phoenix Suns, Hedo Turkoglu not backing off marriage

After four minutes and 40 seconds of the third quarter Wednesday night, Suns forward Hedo Turkoglu left the US Airways Center floor with the Suns trailing by nine and never returned in a 112-110 loss to San Antonio.

But the Suns coaches could not pull him off the floor Thursday. Turkoglu stayed more than an hour after practice to work with Suns player development personnel, new hire Nenad Trajkovic and Mercury coach Corey Gaines.

Turkoglu will not be moved to the bench for Friday's home game with Memphis, despite some support for Hakim Warrick to take his spot. Turkoglu also will not move from his belief that he will figure out this new position and role soon. Through the Suns' 1-3 start, Turkoglu is averaging 8.5 points (on 38 percent shooting), 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists.