PHOENIX SUNS

Suns rule Deandre Ayton out, Landry Shamet probable vs. Thunder

Mar 18, 2023, 3:46 PM

Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Landry Shamet #14 after scoring against the Washin...

Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Landry Shamet #14 after scoring against the Washington Wizards during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on December 20, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Wizards defeated the Suns 113-110. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton will not suit up Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a right hip contusion, according to the NBA injury report.

Guard Landry Shamet, though, is probable to return after a foot injury has held him out since Jan. 16.

Ayton has missed nine games this season but no more than three in a row for various ailments. The Suns’ schedule allows him time to rest after Sunday’s game, as Phoenix will not play again until Wednesday against the Lakers.

Phoenix is approaching a stretch of games against teams either in a playoff spot or on the cusp — many with prominent big men — in the Thunder, Lakers, Kings, 76ers, Jazz, Timberwolves, Nuggets and Thunder again.

Ayton has been Phoenix’s second-leading scorer since Kevin Durant suffered an ankle sprain pregame on March 5 at 18.6 points per game.

Durant — ruled out Sunday — is less than two weeks from being re-evaluated.

Ayton added 16 points and seven rebounds in nearly 35 minutes during a 116-113 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.

Shamet has only played in 30 games this season, four since Dec. 27. He adds to a slew of bench options the Suns have added since the trade deadline, such as Terrence Ross and T.J. Warren.

The Suns sit in the No. 4 seed of the Western Conference at 38-32, 1.5 games up on the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Clippers.

Tip off Sunday in Oklahoma City is set for 12:30 p.m.

The game will air on 98.7, the Arizona Sports app and ArizonaSports.com.

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