Leandro Barbosa struggles in return to Phoenix Suns

Jan 9, 2014, 5:45 AM | Updated: 5:51 am

Leandro Barbosa’s first NBA game in nearly a year probably didn’t go quite like he planned.

Despite excelling in eight games in the Brazilian league (NBB) and averaging 20.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and shooting 50 percent from 3-point range, Barbosa struggled in his return to the NBA and Phoenix Suns after tearing his left ACL while with the Boston Celtics in February.

Barbosa scored three points on 1-of-6 shooting while dishing three assists and grabbing three rebounds in Wednesday’s 104-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. But while Barbosa’s stat line was rather pedestrian, his health shouldn’t be a concern — he showed flashes of the speed and explosiveness that made him a fan favorite in his first go-around with Phoenix.

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Phoenix Suns' Channing Frye, left, sets a pick on Minnesota Timberwolves' Alexey Shved, right, of Russia, as Leandro Barbosa, of Brazil, drives by in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Timberwolves' Nikola Pekovic, right, of Montenegro, attempts to slow down Phoenix Suns' Miles Plumlee in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio (9), of Spain, attempts a layup as Phoenix Suns' Gerald Green grabs his arm in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Martin, right, drives around Phoenix Suns' Gerald Green in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love eyes a possible shot as Phoenix Suns' Miles Plumlee defends in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Phoenix Suns' Miles Plumlee, center, battles Minnesota Timberwolves' Corey Brewer, right, and Nikola Pekovic, of Montenegro, for a rebound in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

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