Suns' Deandre Ayton: Stars for The Bahamas in tournament
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Ayton (ribs) played in all four of The Bahamas' FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament games in Argentina last week, averaging 15.5 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks in 29.9 minutes per contest.
Playing alongside fellow NBA veterans Buddy Hield and Eric Gordon, Ayton guided The Bahamas to a 4-0 record en route to winning the tournament and sending the island nation into another tournament next July that would give it a chance to qualify for its first Olympic berth at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. After concluding the tournament with 10 points and 21 rebounds in The Bahamas' upset win over tournament host Argentina on Sunday, Ayton looks to be fully healthy again after a rib contusion kept him out for the Suns' season-ending loss May 11 to the Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Though multiple reports indicated that the Suns had been exploring trades for Ayton this offseason, the 25-year-old center looks set to stay in Phoenix for his sixth NBA season, with the team hoping that he proves to be a better fit under new head coach Frank Vogel than predecessor Monty Williams.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Expected to stay in Phoenix
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The Suns are moving forward with the plan of keeping Ayton (ribs) to play alongside Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reports.
The Suns were exploring trades involving the talented big man this offseason, but it appears they didn't field any offers enticing enough to part with the 2018 No. 1 overall pick. The 24-year-old has averaged at least 14.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in each of his first five NBA campaigns, including a career-high 18.0 points last season. Ayton signed a four-year, $132.93 million ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, so he's still under contract with Phoenix for three more years.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: May be traded over offseason
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The Suns will explore the possibility of trading Ayton (ribs) this offseason, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
After suffering a disappointing exit in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs, it appears the Suns are looking to make significant roster changes ahead of the 2023-24 season, including potentially parting ways with both Chris Paul and Ayton. After signing a four-year, $132.93 million contract last offseason, Ayton appeared in 67 regular season games in 2022-23, averaging 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds across 30.4 minutes. Though there have been some motor concerns with Ayton since entering the league in 2018, the 24-year-old will undoubtedly attract some suitors if put on the trading block.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Won't play Thursday
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Ayton (ribs) is out for Thursday's Game 6 versus the Nuggets, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Ayton has been downgraded from questionable to out Thursday due to a rib contusion. Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo should see extended roles in Ayton's absence. The Suns will have to win Game 6 and force a Game 7 in order for the 24-year-old to have a chance of suiting up again this postseason.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Improved performance in loss
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Ayton closed Tuesday's 118-102 loss to the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 14 points (7-12 FG), nine rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 32 minutes.
Ayton delivered an improved performance Tuesday, at least from a statistical standpoint. While his numbers were more in line with what he was able to put up during the regular season, he still ended the game as a team-worst minus-21. Despite playing just 16 minutes, Jock Landale on the other hand was a team-best plus-5. Now trailing 3-2 in the series, the Suns will head back to Phonex for Game 6, a must-win should they hope to stay alive in the playoffs.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Limited despite high efficiency
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Ayton posted 14 points (7-10 FG), eight rebounds, four assists and one block in 33 minutes during Monday's 97-87 loss to Denver in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Ayton delivered another efficient performance in Game 2, but just like in Game 1, he failed to reach the 15-point mark and couldn't record double-digit rebounds. There's no question that dealing with Nikola Jokic has been quite a challenge for Ayton. While he remains valuable in DFS and playoff-based formats, there's no question his impact has been diminished compared to the one he had against the Clippers in the first round. There's a chance that changes in Game 3, however, as he could be in line for more offensive touches in the event Chris Paul (groin) ends up missing Friday's contest.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Double-doubles in Game 3 win
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Ayton had 12 points (4-9 FG, 4-8 FT), 11 rebounds and one steal across 35 minutes during Thursday's 129-124 victory over the Clippers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Ayton has posted a double-double in back-to-back contests, and the Suns have claimed a 2-1 lead over the Clippers after dropping Game 1. Through three playoff contests, the fifth-year big man is averaging 14.7 points and 10.7 rebounds, but he's shooting just 60 percent from the free-throw line. Ayton shot 76 percent from the charity stripe during the regular season and has never shot below 74 percent in his career, so an uptick in that department could bode well for his overall production moving forward.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Logs 14/13 double-double
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Ayton notched 14 points (7-10 FG) and 13 rebounds in 32 minutes during Tuesday's 123-109 victory over the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Ayton got in foul trouble early, and the Suns looked like a different team while he was on the bench. His absence allowed the Clippers to get back into contention after building a double-digit lead, but he finally returned for six minutes in the fourth quarter as the Suns pulled away. Unsurprisingly, Ayton's plus-minus was plus-15 in the Game 2 win.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Resting Sunday
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Ayton (rest) will not play Sunday against the Clippers, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
The Suns will again rest their core players ahead of the playoffs, and with Bismack Biyombo (knee) also shelved, Jock Landale should see plenty of time at center. Ayton ends the 2022-23 regular season with averages of 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 30.4 minutes.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Officially out
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Ayton (rest) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Lakers, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
As expected, Ayton, along with Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, will all take a seat Friday for rest purposes. In Ayton's absence, Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale are candidates for increased roles versus Los Angeles.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Likely out against Lakers
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Ayton is expected to sit out Friday's game versus the Lakers for rest purposes, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
With Phoenix locked into the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, they are expected to rest their star players on the second leg of their back-to-back Friday. Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale will likely receive extended minutes if Ayton is ruled out.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Records double-double in win
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Ayton provided 19 points (8-12 FG, 3-4 FT) and 11 rebounds over 31 minutes during Sunday's 128-118 victory over the Thunder.
For the first time since returning from a hip injury a week ago, Ayton logged a double-double with some solid rebounding and scoring numbers Sunday night. Unfortunately, it was also another game where he failed to record a single block. The young center out of Arizona has had zero blocks in five of his last seven contests after what was a strong run of games in February with more consistent production in that category.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Struggles offensively
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Ayton finished with eight points (4-11 FG, 0-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 28 minutes during Friday's 100-93 victory over Denver.
Ayton struggled to find any offensive rhythm but salvaged his production with a team-high 10 boards. Since returning from a three-game absence, Ayton has posted modest averages of 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 29.0 minutes over his past three appearances.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Modest production in win
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Ayton registered 10 points (5-9 FG), three rebounds, three blocks and one steal over 29 minutes during Wednesday's 107-100 win over the Timberwolves.
Although Ayton matched his highest total of the season with three blocks in Wednesday's victory, he was held in check on the boards while also posting his lowest scoring total since March 3. However, the 24-year-old hasn't had significant workload restrictions over his two appearances since returning from a four-game absence, as he's averaged 29.5 minutes per game over his last two outings.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Fizzes in return Monday
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Ayton (hip) racked up 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-4 FT) and eight rebounds in 30 minutes during Monday's 117-103 victory over the Jazz.
Ayton returned to action after missing the previous four games with a right hip contusion. While the playing time he received in his first game back was certainly encouraging, Ayton's production left a lot to be desired. He deserves some slack given he was making his return from an injury, though a lack of peripheral numbers is something that continues to drag down his overall fantasy value.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Will play Monday
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Ayton (hip) will play Monday against the Jazz, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ayton is returning from a four-game stint on the sidelines, which should queue Bismack Biyombo's return to the second unit and Jock Landale won't play as much. Ayton could have his minutes monitored in his first game back, making him a semi-risky target in daily fantasy leagues but he's safe to fire up in season-long settings.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Probable Monday
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Ayton (hip) is probable for Monday's game against the Jazz, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ayton has missed the last four games due to a hip injury, but he'll likely be able to return to the court for Monday's matchup in Utah. He's averaged 18.6 points and 9.4 rebounds in 31.2 minutes per game over his last five appearances, but it's possible his playing time is monitored if he's cleared to play Monday.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Sidelined through weekend
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Ayton (hip) will not play either Friday versus the Kings or Saturday versus the 76ers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republicreports.
Ayton had been ruled out for the finale of the team's three-game road trip Friday in Sacramento, but head coach Monty Williams later relayed that the big man will miss at least the next two contests. Bismack Biyombo figures to remain in the starting five, and Jock Landale should also claim some spare minutes.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Out again Friday
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Ayton (hip) will miss Friday's game against the Kings, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ayton didn't make the trip to Sacramento for Friday's contest, the conclusion of the team's three-game road trip. As a result, the big man's next opportunity to take the floor comes when the team returns home for the second half of a back-to-back set Saturday when the Suns host the Sixers. Bismack Biyombo figures to draw another start in his absence, with Jock Landale also figuring to handle a few extra minutes.
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Suns' Deandre Ayton: Remains out Wednesday
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Ayton won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Lakers due to a hip injury, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ayton will miss a second straight, although his injury has gone from being listed as a groin issue to his hip. Bismack Biyombo started against the Thunder in his absence. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Sacramento.
