Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton is set to return against the Portland Trail Blazers after a five-game absence due to a right ankle sprain.

Ayton, the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, will play just his third game donning the Suns jersey in the 2019-20 season.

To recall, Ayton served a 25-game suspension after violating the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for a diuretic. He returned in the Suns' loss to the Clippers, 120-99, but suffered a sprained ankle. In two games, he averaged 18 points and 11.5 rebounds across 29 minutes per contest.

If Ayton returns, expect Aron Baynes to head back to the bench. But since the big man has become an intrinsic part of the lineup, head coach Monty Williams will likely field him for significant minutes to hold down the fort in the front court.

Under their new coach, the Suns have starkly improved. Gone are the days where the team was the laughing stock of the league. Williams has seemingly developed a system to utilize the scoring talents of Devin Booker and unlocked the potential of Kelly Oubre. Ricky Rubio, too, as pointed out by various analysts, has been instrumental in harnessing the talents of the young Suns squad.

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But as of late, the Suns seem to be falling off the radar. They'll enter Monday's game against the Blazers with a 12-20 record for 11th in the West. They have lost eight of the last 10 games.

Hopefully, with Ayton back in the lineup, the Suns will receive that much-needed boost.