Suns center Deandre Ayton out vs. Pelicans with right leg contusion
Nov 2, 2021, 5:43 PM | Updated: 6:05 pm
Head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns talks with Deandre Ayton #22 in the second half of game two of the NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena on July 08, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Bucks 118-108. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton will miss Tuesday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, head coach Monty Williams said pregame.
Ayton was questionable coming into the contest after suffering a right leg contusion in the team’s 101-92 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.
The former No. 1 overall pick out of Arizona is averaging 13.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and a career-high 1.4 blocks per game this season.
Backup center JaVale McGee will most likely fill in for Ayton, as he essentially plays the same role except for the number of touches in the post.
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McGee starting would also provide an opportunity for the likes of Frank Kaminsky and Jalen Smith to get some more playing time.
Smith — who reportedly had his third-year team option declined by the Suns — played some minutes at the 4 on Saturday.
Kaminsky has only played in one game this season, just under 10 minutes in the 134-105 defeat to the Trail Blazers in Portland.
On the other side of the court, Pelicans head coach Willie Green said pregame that forward Brandon Ingram would be out for New Orleans.
Tip-off between the Suns and Pelicans is set for 7 p.m. and can be heard on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
