PHOENIX SUNS
Suns fans erupt after Deandre Ayton’s game-winning alley-oop in Game 2
Deandre Ayton has the Phoenix Suns two wins away from a trip to the NBA Finals after slamming down a last-second alley-oop in Game 2 on Tuesday night.
With 0.9 seconds left and Phoenix trailing by one, Suns forward Jae Crowder threw an alley-oop pass from the corner that was slammed home by Ayton for the 104-103 win at Phoenix Suns Arena.
EVERY ANGLE of Jae Crowder's pinpoint pass to Deandre Ayton to win Game 2 for the @Suns! #NBAPlayoffs #ThatsGame #NBAWCF presented by AT&T continues with Game 3 on Thursday at 9pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/JMEXIj0erK
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2021
Love this call of Ayton’s winner from Al McCoy and Tim Kempton (as heard on the @AZSports app). #Suns #RallyTheValley pic.twitter.com/RZtlootF9v
— Andy Greenberg (@AndyTheG) June 23, 2021
The alley-oop was head coach Monty Williams’ plan all along when given a chance to win it after Clippers forward Paul George missed two free throws.
"DA – if he throws it, you gotta try to dunk it. Okay?"
🤯 SOUND ON to hear Monty Williams in the @Suns huddle before Deandre Ayton's game-winning tip-in!#ThatsGame #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/yCDqHmVF1L
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2021
The game-winning jam left only 0.7 seconds left for the Clippers to go the full length of the court and score without a timeout.
George wasn’t able to get the ensuing shot off in time, giving Suns fans a reason for celebr-Ayton.
CelebrAYTON.
— Luke Lapinski (@LukeLapinski) June 23, 2021
The on-court reaction to Deandre Ayton's game-winning shot 😤 pic.twitter.com/6DWLONtjmZ
— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2021
Suns point guard Chris Paul — who was out for the second consecutive game due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols — approved of his head coach’s play call.
Big time play call Coach Mont!!!!!!!!
— Chris Paul (@CP3) June 23, 2021
HELLLLLLL YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Chris Paul (@CP3) June 23, 2021
The Point God celebrated with his teammates and head coach via Facetime following the win.
.@CP3 celebrated with the Suns over FaceTime after the win 👏 pic.twitter.com/WUV88UFn8H
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 23, 2021
Fans were heard giving their series predictions as they were exiting Phoenix Suns Arena following the final buzzer.
SUNS IN 4. #RallyTheValley pic.twitter.com/BohCs4yp0H
— Gabriel Gamiño, MA (@gaminogabriel) June 23, 2021
DA’s dunk is an all-time Suns dunk up there with KJ over Hakeem. #ValleyOop pic.twitter.com/MFu631F7AA
— Espo (@Espo) June 23, 2021
Former Suns center Tyson Chandler chimed in having executed on a similar play during his time in the Valley.
That looks familiar 👀
— Tyson Chandler (@tysonchandler) June 23, 2021
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins — who knows a thing or two about catching passes — gave his two cents on the play.
Wow!!! What a pass but even better finish by @DeandreAyton
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) June 23, 2021
The Suns will look to move one win away from the NBA Finals with a win in Game 3 in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. Catch all the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
