Suns' Deandre Ayton: Monster double-double in return
Rotowire
Ayton (illness) finished with 19 points (6-20 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 7-10 FT), 20 rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 31 minutes during Thursday's 99-95 loss to the Mavericks.
Making his return from a three-game absence due to illness, Ayton started and took on his usual minutes, delivering an imposing line for managers in need of boards. However, thanks largely to the subpar shooting from the field and the mediocre showing from the free-throw line on high volume, Ayton's stat line was a little less valuable than it could have been. Ayton's efficiency should improve in the coming games, as he's converting his shots at a 57.2 percent clip for the year.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Says he'll play Thursday
Rotowire
Ayton (illness) said he'll play Thursday against the Mavericks, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.
Ayton has missed the last three games due to an illness but was probable ahead of Thursday's matchup and will be able to return to the court. Bismack Biyombo should retreat to the bench with Ayton back in action Thursday.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Likely to play Thursday
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Ayton (illness) is probable for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.
Ayton has missed the last three games due to an illness, but he returned to practice Wednesday and will likely be back in action a day later. He's posted double-doubles in five of his last six appearances, averaging 17.5 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 32.7 minutes per game over that stretch.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Takes part in practice
Rotowire
Ayton (illness) was present for Wednesday's practice and was spotted taking part in work during the media-access portion of the session, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
While it's unclear if Ayton was a full or partial participant in the session, his involvement in any capacity bodes well for his chances of putting an end to his three-game absence Thursday against the Mavericks. Bismack Biyombo has started at center in each of the past three games in Ayton's stead, averaging 7.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.0 assists in 25.7 minutes in those contests.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Officially out
Rotowire
Ayton (illness) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Charlotte, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ayton was downgraded to doubtful earlier in the day, so this latest update comes as no surprise. He'll miss his third straight contest while recovering from an illness.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Upgraded to doubtful
Rotowire
Ayton (illness) has been upgraded from out to doubtful ahead of Tuesday's game versus the Hornets.
Ayton remains expected to miss Tuesday's contest, but the upgrade suggests there is at least a chance the big man will rejoin the action. If he misses a third straight game, as expected, Bismack Biyombo figures to get another start, and Jock Landale will likely snare a more sizable role as well. Even if Ayton sits, his upgrade to doubtful suggests a return isn't too far away. The change in designation still means it will be worth keeping an eye on Ayton's status leading up to the 9 PM ET tipoff.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Ruled out Tuesday
Rotowire
Ayton (illness) has been ruled out for Tuesday's contest against the Hornets, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.
The 7-foot center will officially miss his third straight game as he continues to recover from a non-COVID-related illness. Bismack Biyombo figures to continue to start in Ayton's place. The Arizona product's next chance of taking the floor comes Thursday against the Mavericks.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Out again Sunday
Rotowire
Ayton (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Grizzlies, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.
Ayton will miss both halves of the Suns' weekend back-to-back set due to an illness. His next chance to suit up will come Tuesday against the Hornets. In his absence, Bismack Biyombo figures to draw another start, while Jock Landale garners an increased role off the bench.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Out Saturday
Rotowire
Ayton (illness) won't play Saturday against the Pacers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ayton has played in three consecutive games since returning from an ankle injury, but he'll be back on the shelf Saturday. In his absence, Bismack Biyombo, Jock Landale and Dario Saric are candidates to see expanded roles.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Questionable Saturday
Rotowire
Ayton is considered questionable for Saturday's game against the Pacers due to a non-COVID-related illness, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.
Ayton's status will presumably depend on how he is feeling closer to tip-off. If he is ultimately unable to go, Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo would be in line for increased workloads.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Efficient in Monday's loss
Rotowire
Ayton accumulated 18 points (8-11 FG, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and one assist across 30 minutes during Monday's 136-106 loss to Memphis.
Ayton has scored in double digits in six straight games and has four double-doubles in that span. His shooting numbers were good Monday, but that has been an anomaly for the big man since the start of the new year. In six January outings, Ayton is averaging 15.5 points and shooting 46.7 percent from the field.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Poor shooting sours return
Rotowire
Ayton totaled 11 points (5-18 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes during Friday's 121-116 loss to the Timberwolves.
Ayton racked up a double-double in the loss but struggled mightily from the field, shooting just 5-of-18. The 11 rebounds were nice, but that's really where the positives end. He currently profiles as the 72nd-best player in standard fantasy formats but is outside the top 190 over the past two weeks. His inability to protect the rim, along with mediocre free-throw shooting, makes him a tough player to see blowing up at any point in the near future.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Available Friday
Rotowire
Ayton (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Timberwolves.
A sprained left ankle has kept Ayton out over the past two games, but the center will return Friday, which should push Bismack Biyombo back to the bench. Ayton could be featured more in the offense while the Suns remain without Chris Paul (hip), Devin Booker (groin), Landry Shamet (hip), Cameron Johnson (knee) and Cameron Payne (foot). Since Christmas Day, Ayton is averaging 17.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 33.0 minutes.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Expected to play Friday
Rotowire
Ayton, who's officially listed as questionable with a sprained left ankle, is expected to play Friday against the Timberwolves, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ayton has missed back-to-back games after spraining his ankle during Sunday's loss to Cleveland, but it appears the talented big man will return to action against Minnesota. Despite the optimistic report, fantasy managers are still encouraged to confirm Ayton's availability ahead of the 8 p.m. ET tipoff before locking him into lineups. If he does return, Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo would presumably see fewer minutes.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Listed questionable for Friday
Rotowire
Ayton (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable on the injury report ahead of Friday's game versus the Timberwolves, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.
Ayton was listed out initially on the team's previous two injury reports, so the big man's upgrade to questionable seemingly gives him a reasonable shot to retake the floor. If that's the case, Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo would presumably see a reduction in minutes.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Remains sidelined against Denver
Rotowire
Ayton (ankle) is out for Wednesday's game versus the Nuggets, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Ayton will miss both legs of the Suns' back-to-back with a left ankle sprain. Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo will likely continue to receive extended minutes in his absence. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with the Timberwolves.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Won't play Tuesday
Rotowire
Ayton (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ayton played 30 minutes during Sunday's loss to Cleveland and notched his third straight double-double during the matchup, but it appears he sustained an ankle injury during the contest as well. He'll sit out Tuesday with the issue, but his status for the second half of the Suns' back-to-back Wednesday in Denver remains unclear, though he can presumably be considered, at best, questionable. In Ayton's absence, Jock Landale, Bismack Biyombo and Dario Saric are candidates for increased playing time.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Nursing ankle sprain
Rotowire
Ayton is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Warriors due to a left ankle sprain, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.
It's unclear as to when Ayton picked up the injury, but his status is now up in the air as Tuesday's tipoff approaches. The team should have a better idea of his availability after morning shootaround and pregame warmups.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Grabs third straight double-double
Rotowire
Ayton finished Sunday's 112-98 loss to the Cavaliers with 14 points (6-16 FG, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, six assists and one block in 30 minutes.
Ayton managed just six first-half points on 2-of-9 shooting from the field but still made his presence felt with four assists and six rebounds heading into the break. The big man added another six points and five boards in the third quarter to notch his third straight double-double while also reaching his second-highest assist total of the season with six. He's now scored in double figures in four straight contests and in 10 of his last 11.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Provides double-double in loss
Rotowire
Ayton produced 23 points (10-20 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 14 rebounds and two assists over 36 minutes during Friday's 104-96 loss to the Heat.
Ayton was a bright spot in Phoenix's loss as he battled to a draw against Bam Adebayo . While the Suns have tinkered with options in the interior to complement Ayton, Torrey Craig has emerged as the best option, and Ayton's numbers have been excellent with Craig supporting him.
