Phoenix Suns big man Aron Baynes expects to return for his team's game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night after missing the last five games due to a hip injury, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
Baynes has been a godsend for the Suns in a season where Deandre Ayton was hit with a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA's performance-enhancing drugs policy.
In the 12 games he has played, Baynes is averaging 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists over 24 minutes per game while shooting 56.1 percent from the floor, 44.2 percent from three-point range and 71.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Phoenix acquired him in a draft night trade with the Boston Celtics back in June.
The 32-year-old began his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs in 2012-13, appearing in 14 contests off the bench. The following year, Baynes' role grew a bit, as he participated in 53 games, and in his third season, Baynes developed a rather key role on the team, playing in 70 games with 17 starts and registering 6.6 points and 4.5 boards a night.
His solid 2014-15 campaign earned him a contract with the Detroit Pistons, where he spent two seasons as a key contributor off the bench.
Baynes then signed with the Celtics during the summer of 2017 and put himself on the map as a legitimate center who could get big minutes on a contender, registering six points and 5.4 boards per game in his first season with the club and helping Boston reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
His final season with the C's was marred by injury, although he was effective when he was on the floor.
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