After a grueling stretch marked by pain, rehab, and uncertainty, newly signed Phoenix Suns two-way forward Isaiah Livers is back in the NBA – and finally feeling healthy again.
Speaking to The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin on Sunday, Livers opened up about the difficult road back to basketball after undergoing a specialized hip surgery that sidelined him for most of the past year.
Reflecting on the severity of the injury, Livers revealed just how long he had been pushing through the pain.
“They said I was probably playing on it for about a year, straight bone on bone,” he said, describing the wear and tear on his right hip. “It just kept getting worse and worse.”
Initially, Livers attempted a more conservative approach, hoping to avoid surgery.
“I tried to go to L.A. last summer and do conservative rehab,” he explained. “We found out we got to do this special surgery. I was very upset.”
The decision to undergo the procedure was not easy, and the emotional toll of the setback weighed heavily on him. But now, after months of recovery and determination, Livers says he feels physically renewed and mentally refreshed.
“I kind of feel like a whole new player, to be honest,” he added.
The 26-year-old, who previously showed flashes of promise during his time with the Detroit Pistons, now gets a fresh start in Phoenix – a franchise that has made a habit of betting on resilience and upside in its developmental system.
While he’s on a two-way contract, Livers hopes to make a case for a permanent roster spot, and his restored health is the first step in that journey.
Pacific Notes: Lakers, Wiggins, Bazley, Kings, Carter, Livers https://t.co/Md4jJKKjzL pic.twitter.com/cKHztMVjE2
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 15, 2025
