Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams says second-year big man Deandre Ayton has “progressed immensely” from his ankle injury.
After returning from his PED suspension against the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 17, Ayton has missed the last five games due to an ankle injury. He has been upgraded to questionable for Monday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Williams says the Suns are being cautious with Ayton so his ankle injury doesn’t linger for the rest of the season.
“He's progressed immensely. Every day, you feel like he's got a chance to get back on the floor. We'll see how he responds to the pregame treatments and talk to the docs and medical people and make our assessment tonight. We'll see,” Williams said, per Gina Mizell of The Athletic.
Deandre Ayton received a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for a diuretic. The Suns began the season with a convincing win over the Sacramento Kings at home. Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, put up 18 points and 11 rebounds in 33 minutes while shooting an efficient 9-of-14 from the field against the Kings.
In his return against the Clippers, Ayton played 24 minutes and finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds on 9-of-19 shooting. The Suns are 12-20 on the season, 11th place in the West.
In his first season in the NBA, Ayton averaged 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in 71 games while shooting 58.5 percent from the floor. People, however, often forget he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Ayton was overshadowed by Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic and Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young last season despite averaging a double-double.
Hopefully, Ayton isn’t out for too much longer.
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