PHOENIX SUNS

Deandre Ayton feeling fresh, likely to return from ankle injury vs. Hawks

Feb 1, 2019, 1:53 PM

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) is congratulated by teammate De'Anthony Melton following a 1...

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) is congratulated by teammate De'Anthony Melton following a 107-99 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

PHOENIX — The last six games of the Phoenix Suns’ nine-game losing skid came without Deandre Ayton at center.

Sidelined with an ankle injury, he used a break spanning Tuesday’s loss to the Spurs and Saturday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks to ramp back into shape.

Friday after practice, Ayton was the last player off the floor as he worked on a three-point stroke that he’s yet to add to his offensive arsenal.

“The magician never tells them his tricks,” Ayton said when asked if that was going to reveal itself in the near future.

Ayton had gone hard and barring a setback seems all but certain to return Saturday as the Suns aim to break a losing streak and find traction with six games left before the NBA All-Star break.

To prepare for his return, the rookie big man spent this week running in the team’s training pool and getting his cardio back.

“I feel very light. My legs feel brand new like I just got to the league,” he said. “So yeah, it’s a good sign.”

Phoenix could certainly use him. The Suns’ net rating without Ayton the last six games was -15.4, as the defense most notably fell off a cliff, allowing opponents to score 118.4 points per 100 possessions. That’s well below their rating for the year at 113.4.

The offensive ratings haven’t been any better, as Phoenix is scoring 102.9 points per 100 possessions, also down a few clicks from the team’s year average of 104.1.

And while Ayton’s legs might be fresh, he hopes the last two weeks on the bench can help him from an IQ standpoint as well.

“I just see from the coach’s view and what they’re talking about during the game and practice in film,” Ayton said.  “I think I’m on the same page with the coaches now and I can just spread it with my teammates.”

Not the best time

Ayton and Suns teammate Mikal Bridges made a Thursday night appearance on ESPN, whose cameras caught watching as Ayton’s Arizona Wildcats fell to the Arizona State Sun Devils, 95-88, in overtime.

Let’s just say the loss didn’t sit well with Ayton, who sat among ASU fans for most of the game.

“I saw him this morning. He was still pissed about the game,” Bridges said Friday.

Ayton took the ribbing best he could. And he admitted to being “a little troll” toward Sun Devil fans during some of Arizona’s runs.

“I’m surprised they allowed me to sit next to them, all the ASU fans I was around,” Ayton said. “I tried to throw a hoodie on but no, they saw me, they booed me and everything.  I even think I brought a little energy to them — I shouldn’t have went to the game. It’s like they got more confidence. They start looking at me and screaming. I’m like, uh, yeah. Good game, guys. They got us.”

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

7 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

11 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

15 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Deandre Ayton feeling fresh, likely to return from ankle injury vs. Hawks