The last time that Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton was seen on the hardwood, he suffered what appeared to be a serious ankle injury that would put an end to his rookie season. But head coach Igor Kokoskov said Monday that he was hopeful Ayton would be able to take the floor again as soon as Wednesday when his team faced off with the Utah Jazz.
Igor Kokoskov said after morning shootaround he's hopeful Deandre Ayton will be available for next game Wednesday vs. #Jazz.
Out tonight vs. #Cavs with sprained left ankle suffered Saturday vs. #GrindCity.
Ayton was using just one crutch after shootaround instead of two. #Suns
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 1, 2019
Ayton will be out of the mix for Monday’s contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to his ankle sprain, paving the way for Richaun Holmes to take over in his place. The Jazz have dominated Phoenix in three prior meetings this season, winning by an average of better than 23 points per contest, holding Ayton to single digits in scoring in two of those three contests.
Ayton, whom the Suns selected with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft out of the University of Arizona, has averaged a double-double during his first professional season, racking up 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds across 30.7 minutes per game. He has started 70 of the 71 games that he has appeared in, establishing himself as a future cornerstone of the franchise alongside Devin Booker.
Phoenix has little incentive to rush Ayton back for their final four games after Monday, as the team sits at 17-60 on the year. Alongside the New York Knicks, they are on pace to finish the year with the best odds of acquiring the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, which would give them another young star to pair with Ayton and Booker moving forward.
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