The Phoenix Suns have dominated the regular season. While most of that is due to the team's fantastic blend of high-level talent and well-rounded supporting cast, part of it is due to the team's great fortunes with injury. Deandre Ayton has been the team's only key player that has missed more than 10 games this season.
Unfortunately for Phoenix, their starting big man could miss even more time. The Suns announced that Ayton sprained his ankle in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons. Ayton asked to be removed from the game after suffering the injury.
Deandre Ayton (ankle sprain) will not return to the game.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 16, 2022
This season, Ayton is averaging 17.1 points and 11.0 rebounds in 27 games. The 23-year-old has missed 14 games this season for several reasons, including a non-COVID illness and a stint in the NBA's health and safety protocols. Ayton is a walking double-double machine, a stout interior scorer and a solid defender. His presence will be missed by Phoenix for as long as he is out.
A few days ago, the Suns signed Bismack Biyombo for the rest of the season as a reinforcement at the center spot. He will fill the spot along with JaVale McGee and Jalen Smith as long as Ayton is sidelined.
Phoenix — which owns the best record in the league and has some matchups with very bad teams coming up — should be able to weather the storm just fine while Ayton recovers. With Devin Booker and Chris Paul still playing elite basketball, Phoenix will still be a force to be reckond with.
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