PHOENIX SUNS

Suns expecting returns of Baynes, Saric, Ayton from injury on Friday

Feb 18, 2020, 4:00 PM

The Phoenix Suns stand attended for the national anthem before NBA game against the Sacramento King...

The Phoenix Suns stand attended for the national anthem before NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 23, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The timing of the All-Star break was great for the Phoenix Suns, who haven’t been able to field their full expected roster and rotation for most of the season because of injuries and a suspension for Deandre Ayton.

They won’t be all the way there on Friday in Toronto for the team’s first game back, but Deandre Ayton, Dario Saric and Aron Baynes are expected to return.

“Outside of Frank Kaminsky I expect all the rest of our guys will be ready,” Suns general manager James Jones told Burns & Gambo on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station Tuesday.

Ayton missed two games because of left ankle soreness, not including the Rising Stars game at All-Star Weekend that he was supposed to be a part of as well.

The two pieces the team has been missing the longest outside of Kaminsky, who will miss his 23rd game in a row on Friday, are Baynes and Saric.

Baynes has missed the last 13 games for the team due to left hip soreness.

The 33-year-old played by far the largest minutes of his career when starting in place of the suspended Ayton at the start of the season, averaging 25.3 minutes a night over 11 games when his career average is 15.7.

Unsurprisingly, that led to a right hip flexor strain that had him miss five games. After returning for only one game, he missed another four due to a left calf strain.

Baynes played for 20 straight games after that, but through a mix of starting in place of Ayton, with Ayton and coming off the bench, he looked nothing like the impact player he was in the first month of the season. Once again on high minutes, that brought on the left hip soreness.

As for Saric, he has missed the last seven games because of a left ankle sprain and had now been playing in a new role as backup power forward to new starter Mikal Bridges.

Even when accepting that the Suns will be without Kaminsky, it’s the most full-strength lineup the Suns have had since the season opener, and even in that one, they were without Cam Johnson and Ty Jerome.

It’s as good of a time as any for that.

“That’s good to have the whole team for the stretch run because it’s important how we come out of the break and it’s really important how we finish these last 27 games,” Jones said.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

7 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

12 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

1 day ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

2 days ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

Suns expecting returns of Baynes, Saric, Ayton from injury on Friday