Suns rookie Deandre Ayton receives first career ejection
Mar 16, 2019, 6:20 PM | Updated: 9:25 pm
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton smiles during the second half of his team's NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Phoenix Suns rookie center Deandre Ayton was ejected from Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the first of his career, after receiving his second technical foul.
Ayton was issued a first technical in the second quarter after arguing a foul called on him when guarding Pelicans center Jahlil Okafor.
The No. 1 overall pick’s ejection was issued with a minute left in the third quarter while Ayton was on the bench. He appeared to to have choice words toward the officials.
Well, Ayton achieved a career first, but probably not the one he had in mind. He'll be watching the rest of this one from the showers. pic.twitter.com/cn1IAj4evj
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) March 17, 2019
Ayton finished the game with eight points and five rebounds in 22 minutes for the Suns.
His eight points is his second-lowest point total in his first season after he finished with two points on March 13 against the Utah Jazz — a game in which Ayton gave himself an “F-” grade for his performance.
