Dario Saric shows out for Suns as Ayton gets in foul trouble

Jun 9, 2021, 7:28 PM | Updated: 7:45 pm

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Dario Saric #20 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

Dario Saric came off the bench Wednesday and proceeded to have one of his better halves recently as the Phoenix Suns took on the Denver Nuggets in Game 2.

A no-look pass from veteran point guard Chris Paul in the second quarter led to a Saric dunk that put the Suns up 30-23. It was Saric’s second straight game with a dunk.

This sequence is ART.@CP3 x @dariosaric pic.twitter.com/8JulMeZpuL

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 10, 2021

Just two minutes later, Saric nailed a 3-pointer — assisted again by Paul — that hyped up the crowd to a fever pitch.

At the half, Saric had put up eight points and was 3-of-5 from the field in nine minutes of play. The Suns led the Nuggets, 52-42.

Saric was put in after Suns big man Deandre Ayton got in foul trouble early in the matchup. Ayton committed two fouls within five minutes in the first quarter.

Head coach Monty Williams stuck with Ayton until putting Saric in with four minutes left in the first quarter.

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Phoenix Suns "the valley" towels are draped over seats before Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets attempts a shot over Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a shot over Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Facundo Campazzo #7 of the Denver Nuggets attempts a three-point shot over Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns slam dunks the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a three-point shot over Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns slam dunks the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half in Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Cameron Payne #15 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a foul call against the Denver Nuggets during the second half in Game Two of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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