Suns’ Deandre Ayton questionable vs. Celtics with non-COVID-19 illness

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton is questionable to play Friday against the Boston Celtics with a non-COVID-19 illness, the team told reporters at shootaround.

The Suns, who host the Celtics for an 8 p.m. tipoff on ESPN and 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station, is already without starting guard Devin Booker (hamstring straing), center Frank Kaminsky (knee stress reaction), wing Abdel Nader (knee injury management) and two-way forward Chandler Hutchison (G League assignment).

Backup big man Dario Saric remains out rehabbing a right ACL tear suffered last year in the NBA Finals.

The Celtics are also missing a key piece, with forward Jaylen Brown sitting out due to a hamstring issue.

For the Suns, Ayton is averaging 16.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game this season. Without Ayton due to an injury earlier this season, backup center JaVale McGee moved into the team’s starting lineup.

Phoenix (20-4) has not played since securing a 108-104 win against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

Boston (13-13), meanwhile, visits Phoenix to end a five-game Western Conference road swing.

The Celtics have gone 1-3 so far, beating the undermanned Portland Trail Blazers while falling to the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.

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