NBA Star Accuses Former Coach of Alcoholism and Deliberate Provocation

Jusuf Nurkic Levels Serious Allegations Against Mike Budenholzer

According to Главком: Bosnian center Jusuf Nurkic, currently playing for the Utah Jazz, has publicly accused former Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer of struggling with alcoholism. According to Nurkic, the coach's drinking problem negatively impacted his behavior and professional conduct. He further alleged that Budenholzer intentionally provoked players by starting unnecessary conflicts without any valid reason.

Team Turmoil and Fallout

Budenholzer, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, led the Phoenix Suns during the 2024/2025 season. The team managed only 36 wins, finishing 11th in the Western Conference-marking the first time in years the Suns missed the playoffs. Nurkic stated that by January 2025, communication between him and Budenholzer had completely broken down. In February of that year, Nurkic was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, and Budenholzer was fired at the end of the season.

Nurkic described the atmosphere under Budenholzer's leadership as 'absurd.' He also recalled the coach calling him a bad teammate without justification. Other players who reportedly faced Budenholzer's provocations included:

• Bradley Beal
• Grayson Allen

Under new head coach Jordan Ott, the Phoenix Suns managed to return to the playoffs in the 2025/2026 season.

Nurkic emphasized that Budenholzer 'deliberately scheduled one-on-one meetings with players solely to provoke them and start a conflict without any objective reason.'

These accusations have sparked widespread discussion across the sports world, particularly given Budenholzer's impressive résumé, which includes leading the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA championship in 2021.

Nurkic's claims call into question Budenholzer's professional ethics and coaching methods, potentially damaging his career prospects. Since being let go by the Suns, the coach has reportedly faced challenges in securing new opportunities in the NBA, largely due to this negative public image. Meanwhile, the improved performance of the Phoenix Suns under new leadership suggests that organizational issues may have been linked to Budenholzer's management style.