PHOENIX SUNS

Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton, Cam Johnson out vs. Indiana Pacers

Jan 21, 2023, 5:17 PM | Updated: 5:37 pm

The Phoenix Suns will be without Deandre Ayton and Cam Johnson when they host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night at Footprint Center, the team announced.

Meanwhile, Suns wing Josh Okogie (nasal fracture) is available for head coach Monty Williams and Co.

Ayton won’t play due to a non-COVID illness, while Johnson (right knee injury management), Chris Paul (right hip soreness), Devin Booker (left groin strain), Landry Shamet (right foot soreness), Cam Payne (right foot sprain) and forward Jae Crowder (not with team) all are out.

Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton remains out with left knee and elbow sprains.

The Suns also host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday in the second game of a back-to-back.

Johnson’s designation comes one day after he dropped 19 points on 4-of-10 shooting, including going 2-for-6 from three-point range and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line in a 117-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

He also added six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 22 minutes off the bench in what was his first appearance since Nov. 4.

Ayton this season is averaging 17.5 points on 58.3% shooting to go along with 9.9 rebounds in just under 30 minutes played per game.

Saturday night’s contest tips off at 7 p.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7, the Arizona Sports app and ArizonaSports.com.

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