Suns injuries: Ayton to start; Johnson, Baynes available against Warriors
Feb 29, 2020, 6:15 PM | Updated: 6:16 pm
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) rebounds during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
The Phoenix Suns injury list was quite full early Saturday, but three key players on it will be active against the Golden State Warriors.
Deandre Ayton, listed with right hip soreness, is in the starting lineup, the Suns announced.
Cam Johnson (low back/right hip contusion) and Aron Baynes (rib contusion) will be available to play.
With those three active, Phoenix is looking to get back in the win column against the last-place Warriors. A win would give the Suns their 25th of the season, which would be the first time reaching that mark since 2014-15.
Over the last 10 games, Ayton has been spectacular, averaging 21.7 points, 12.9 rebounds — 5.4 of which are offensive — and 1.9 blocks per game while making 58.4% of his shots.
Johnson has also been solid since returning Feb. 7 from a 10 game absence. He has made multiple 3-pointers in eight of his last nine games and shot 48.7% from behind the arc during that stretch.
Baynes has only played five games since missing 13 due to injury. He’s having the best season of his career, averaging 10.7 points and 5.5 rebounds as a physical presence who can stretch the floor.
The Suns and Warriors game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
