Deandre Ayton back to normal in return, shorthanded Suns fall to LAC

Dec 17, 2019, 10:57 PM | Updated: 11:21 pm

Phoenix Suns Center DeAndre Ayton (22) looks on before a NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers on December 17, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

BY KELLAN OLSON

Suns reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

As it should be, the attention in Los Angeles on Tuesday night was on Deandre Ayton and his first game back from a 25-game suspension for the Phoenix Suns.

With that in mind, it was easy to forget there was a game in there to win, one the Suns were without Devin Booker (right forearm contusion), Cam Johnson (left hip soreness) and Tyler Johnson (illness) on the second game of a back-to-back.

That, plus incorporating Ayton against one of the league’s best teams, was clearly too much of an uphill battle in a 120-99 loss.

The Clippers were in control of the game in the first half, one in which the Suns only had 44 points. A run to open the second half led by Ayton provided somewhat of a spark, but the Clippers shifted up a gear just a smidge, and that was enough to suddenly be up 18 late in the third quarter to control the rest of the game.

Unsurprisingly, Phoenix’s offense was not efficient against a great defense without Booker. The Suns shot 40.2% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range, attempting only 10 free throws.

The loss is the fourth straight for the Suns, who have fallen out of a playoff spot and are now 11-16.

Ayton was more or less a version of himself last year, which was a good and productive player. He had 18 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes.

After a nervy start that included two traveling calls and going to his comfort zone offensively, the mid-range jumper, Ayton settled in nicely.

He made a few extra effort plays where he can be a true difference-maker, rolling hard more to the rim and scoring via the offensive glass.

Ayton with the assist! pic.twitter.com/d8Yr5crpXt

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 18, 2019

In what was a common occurrence during his rookie year, Ayton had a three-minute stretch where he heavily impacted the game to open the third quarter.

That included a nice move in transition to finish.

Yeah, we remember this guy.

Ayton has a double-double in his first game back ‼️ pic.twitter.com/mnAFOB8n3x

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) December 18, 2019

There was also some of the bad we saw from Ayton, such as his lack of activity at times around the rim and defensive awareness.

This is not ideal help or paying attention or boxing out or second efforting. That is four things to improve in a 10-second clip yeesh pic.twitter.com/06efakaz9F

— Kevin Zimmerman (@KZimmermanAZ) December 18, 2019

Ayton also attempted only one free throw, an area of his game he will have to improve in year two.

Overall, it was the usual level of impact Ayton gave in a good performance as a rookie. That’s an excellent outcome in his return, and it was even better to see him relatively in game shape, able to get in the flow of a game after missing nearly two months of NBA action.

Ayton did appear to turn his ankle at one point in the second half, hobbling for a bit to walk it off. He did not return for a shift of play in the fourth quarter.

Ayton notably did not attempt any three-pointers, a part of his game he is routinely been practicing since halfway through last season, and the Suns having stretch bigs in his place has helped space out the offense.

pic.twitter.com/yqWDtpE0zf

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) December 18, 2019

The Suns being able to manage that while also being the NBA’s best assists team is the main statistic to monitor while Ayton is brought back in.

Phoenix had 10 assists on 18 field goals at the half, good for a 55.5 AST%, over 13% less than their league-leading 68.8%. They were much better in the second half, finishing with 30 assists on 41 makes, a 73.1 AST%.

Kelly Oubre Jr. was the lone Sun to play well outside of Ayton, including two highlights you’ll see when his Suns career is all said and done.

He posterized Paul George.