Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton put together a fine performance in Tuesday's Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets. Ayton scored 14 points — on 7-for-12 shooting from the field — grabbed nine rebounds, came up with two steals, and blocked one shot in a game the Suns went on to lose by a final score of 118-102, with the big man unfortunately suffering a rib injury in the process. So when Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the Nuggets visit the Footprint Center on Thursday night to play the Suns, every Suns fan will surely want to know: Is Deandre Ayton playing in Game 6 vs. the Nuggets?

Deandre Ayton injury status vs. Nuggets

Ayton has been ruled out for Thursday's showdown due to a rib contusion, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, though the Suns haven't officially ruled him out yet. In other injury news relevant to the Suns, Chris Paul (left groin strain) will also sit out for Phoenix.

Deandre Ayton, 24, is in his fifth year in the NBA, all as a member of the Suns franchise. He averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.8 turnovers per game across 67 appearances this season (all starts). The Bahamas native shot the ball with impressive accuracy from the charity stripe in the 2022-23 campaign, at least by his standards — Ayton's 76% free-throw percentage was the second-highest of his pro career.

Ayton has come under some fire in this series for ineffectiveness, with backup big Jock Landale playing some strong minutes. With Ayton set to miss this game, Landale and Bismack Biyombo will be relied on even more against Nikola Jokic and Co.

Expect Thursday's matchup between the Nuggets and Suns to go down to the wire, even with Ayton out of the lineup. After all, the Suns are one loss away from elimination, so they have a lot to play for. But with regard to this question: Is Deandre Ayton playing tonight in Game 6 vs. the Nuggets, the answer appears to be no.