The Phoenix Suns take on the Philadelphia 76ers Monday night, which means we get to see Joel Embiid and Deandre Ayton go at it for the first time in a regular season game.
Before the season started, Joel Embiid said he was going to kick Deandre Ayton's a** when they played. As everyone knows, the Sixers big man is probably the biggest trash talker in the NBA, both on the floor and on social media.
Deandre Ayton is trying to take the high road though, saying he's not concerned about Embiid and is just focusing on the game to the best of his ability.
#Suns Deandre Ayton when asked Saturday night about upcoming matchup with Joel Embiid, who talked smack about Ayton before season: “I don’t even indulge in those types of things. Just play.”
Ayton when asked about it at shootaround: “It’s the Phoenix Suns against the 76ers.”
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) November 19, 2018
Ayton was selected no.1 overall out of University of Arizona in the 2018 NBA Draft. In 15 games this season, Ayton is averaging 16.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 60.3 percent from the field and 76.3 percent from the free-throw line.
The Suns had the worst record in the NBA last season and things aren't off to a great start this year. Phoenix is just 3-12 and has the worst offense in the league, averaging just 102.1 points per game.
Ayton and the Suns are going to have their hands full with Embiid, Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler. Embiid is averaging 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists so far this season. The All-Star center is shooting 45.9 percent from the floor, 32.9 percent from beyond the arc and 81.4 percent from the free-throw line.
The Sixers enter Monday with an 11-7 record.