Phoenix Suns rookie big man Deandre Ayton has been ruled out of his team's game against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night as a result of a sprained ankle, according to Gina Mizell of The Athletic.
Forward T.J. Warren (ankle) and point guard De'Anthony Melton (ankle) will also be sidelined. In addition, big man Richaun Holmes is questionable to play due to a sprained foot.
Ayton suffered the injury during the Suns' loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday and has missed the last three games as a result.
On the season, Ayton is averaging 16.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, two assists, and one block over 30.8 minutes per game while shooting 59.4 percent from the floor and 76.8 percent from the free-throw line, showing why many have been comparing him to David Robinson.
The 20-year-old, who played his collegiate basketball at the University of Arizona, was selected by Phoenix with the first overall pick of the NBA Draft back in June.
During his long collegiate season, Ayton registered 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks across 33.5 minutes a night while making 61.2 percent of his field-goal attempts and 73.3 percent of his foul shots.
Along with Warren, Devin Booker, and Josh Jackson, Ayton has helped comprise one of the more interesting collections of young talent across the NBA, and given Phoenix's overall ineptitude this season, the Suns seem poised to add another good young piece come June.
Phoenix currently owns a record of 11-39 and has lost six straight games. Since an impressive four-game winning streak between Dec. 13 and Dec. 19, the Suns have lost 15 of their last 18 contests.
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