Deandre Ayton exits win over Pelicans with left ankle sprain, does not return

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton exited Friday night’s 124-111 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Footprint Center due to a left ankle sprain and did not return.

Ayton was seen grabbing his left ankle after coming down on Jonas Valančiūnas’ foot on a jump shot while the Pelicans center was closing out in the mid-first quarter.

The Suns center was able to get back up, but struggled to run up and down the floor before being replaced by backup center Jock Landale and heading to the locker room.

Phoenix head coach Monty Williams did not have an update postgame.

Ayton had four points on 2 of 4 shooting to go along with three rebounds in 7:42 played.

Coming into Friday night’s contest, Ayton was averaging 18.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.5 blocks in 30.8 minutes per game.

He was also shooting 55.2% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range and 72.7% from the free throw line.

Ayton’s departure adds to a laundry list of injured players between the two teams that were already not playing in Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (hip/back contusion), forward Brandon Ingram (concussion), guard Dyson Daniels (left ankle sprain) and defensive ace Herb Jones (knee issue).

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