Phoenix Suns bigs Deandre Ayton, Jalen Smith out vs. Clippers
Dec 13, 2021, 7:10 PM | Updated: 7:14 pm
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns walks off the court following the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 27, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Kings defeated the Suns 110-107. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns centers Deandre Ayton and Jalen Smith are both out for Monday’s road game against the Los Angeles Clippers due to a non-COVID-19 illness.
Ayton was listed as questionable on the original injury report Sunday evening while Smith was an addition on Monday afternoon.
The Suns had already ruled out guard Devin Booker (hamstring strain), wing Abdel Nader (right knee injury management), plus bigs Frank Kaminsky (knee stress reaction) and Dario Saric (ACL rehab) for the game in Los Angeles.
That leaves the Suns with only one healthy big man in JaVale McGee and 10 total available players.
Suns head coach Monty Williams said pregame the Suns could use wings Jae Crowder and Cam Johnson as small-ball 5s, plus two-way wing Ish Wainright.
Ayton missed Phoenix’s last game with his illness, a 111-90 win Friday against the Boston Celtics. His absence gave Smith a significant opportunity, and he performed well in 22 minutes, his longest run this season.
Smith, who again on Monday popped up in trade rumors, scored seven points and added nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal against Boston.
He came in as a substitute for the starter McGee, who shined with 21 points and 15 rebounds in 26 minutes against the Celtics.
Monday night’s game tips at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN 620 AM and 98.7 FM HD-2.
