Suns big man Deandre Ayton impresses in loss to Grizzlies

Oct 27, 2018, 8:42 PM | Updated: 9:11 pm

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton walks off of the court after the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

(AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

BY TYLER DRAKE

Cardinals reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

With each game, Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton looks more and more comfortable on the court.

The score didn’t go the Suns way, but Ayton’s performance was surely a bright spot for a young Suns team missing their best player in Devin Booker.

Ayton went to work early and often in the first half.

.@DeandreAyton puts us on the board! pic.twitter.com/1j7Z5co3Kv

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 28, 2018

He went a perfect 7-for-7, scoring 14 points, as the Suns tried to keep pace with the Grizzlies.

Deandre Ayton was a perfect 7 for 7 in the first half, but he’s going to need lots of help in the second half. pic.twitter.com/hS2CdNsGWM

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) October 28, 2018

The center made the most of his 14 shot attempts, hitting 12-of-14 for 24 points and recording eight rebounds in the 117-96 loss to Memphis.

With the loss, the Suns have now lost four straight games.

Ayton was also dishing the rock, netting five assists.

Deandre Ayton shows off the passing skills! #NBARooks #TimeToRise pic.twitter.com/8ju1fSdc8J

— NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2018

.@DeandreAyton with the dish, @sip03 with the deliver. pic.twitter.com/GvAIMexuzy

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 28, 2018

The rookie’s 24 points marked a new career-high for Ayton. He’s scored at least 20 points and added at least nine rebounds in his last three games.

Through five games, Ayton is averaging 16.3 points — shooting 62.8 percent from the field — 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 blocks.

The seven-footer will look to add to his string of 20-point games when Phoenix travels to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder on Sunday.

Follow @Tdrake4sports

Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Phoenix Suns forward Trevor Ariza (3) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Canaan (0) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) misses a basket between Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and guard MarShon Brooks (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies head coach J. B. Bickerstaff calls to players in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov walks off the court after the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) drives against Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) controls the ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) controls the ball against Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Canaan (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Wayne Selden, right, shoots against Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Anderson in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Yuta Watanabe (12) controls the ball against Phoenix Suns guard Troy Daniels (30) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Yuta Watanabe, right, controls the ball against Phoenix Suns guard Troy Daniels (30) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Yuta Watanabe, center, shoots between Phoenix Suns guard Troy Daniels (30) and forward Richaun Holmes (21) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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