PHOENIX SUNS

Deandre Ayton dunks and Guy Fieri is excited in Suns-Nuggets Game 1

Jun 7, 2021, 7:48 PM | Updated: Jun 8, 2021, 1:24 am

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 07: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns slam dunks the ball against Micha...

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 07: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns slam dunks the ball against Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 07, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Deandre Ayton was bringing the heat to Game 1 of the Phoenix Suns-Denver Nuggets conference semifinals playoff series.

In the first quarter Monday in a 122-105 Suns Game 1 victory, the 22-year-old center drove straight down the lane to slam an and-1 dunk over Michael Porter Jr. to close the Nuggets’ lead to five.

Fans across Phoenix Suns Arena — including Guy Fieri sitting courtside — went wild.

Ayton made his free throw and followed it up with a jumper assisted by point guard Chris Paul. In Monday’s matchup, Ayton played aggressive from the start and was 4-of-6 with nine points through the first quarter.

The big man posted 11 points and seven rebounds through the first half as Phoenix trailed 58-57.

Suns guard Devin Booker also had 11 points to go with five assists through the first 24 minutes. For the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic (15 points) and Michael Porter Jr. (12) led the scoring.

Ayton has put up multiple high-powered performances for the Suns in his first playoff appearance. Ayton averaged 15.8 points per game and 10.7 rebounds while shooting 79.6% (43-54) in the first round against the Lakers.

Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for all the action.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and guard Cameron Payne (15) celebrate a three pointer during Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 07: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns slam dunks the ball against Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 07, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 07: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Deandre Ayton #22 and Chris Paul #3 after scoring against the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 07, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) looks to pass as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) defends during Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 07: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Aaron Gordon #50 and Austin Rivers #25 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 07, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) backs down Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne during Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 07: Torrey Craig #12 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 07, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 07: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a shot over Austin Rivers #25 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 07, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona.(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) defends during Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 07: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets during the second half in Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 07, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 07: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a three-point shot and foul from the Denver Nuggets during the second half in Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 07, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) looks on during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) passes as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) The Phoenix Suns celebrate during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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