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Ex-Cats Deandre Ayton and Aaron Gordon duel in Conference Semi’s

By Eric Townsend

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates a score over the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter during game six of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates a score over the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter during game six of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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Progressing in the NBA Playoffs, former Wildcats Deandre Ayton and Aaron Gordon square off in a highly anticipated Western Conference Semi-Final matchup.

Well, we’re one game down in the Western Conference Semifinals between the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets which features a few familiar faces as former Wildcats Deandre Ayton, Aaron Gordon, and Zeke Nnaji square off.

Still, fairly early in their professional basketball careers, the three former Wildcat superstars are getting their first taste of the NBA Playoffs in what should be an exciting NBA series.

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Arizona Wildcats

While Denver has been one of the best teams in the West the past few years, the Suns are finally starting to come into their own as well, eliminating the defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers in six games in their first playoff appearance in over 10 years.

Led in part due by Ayton’s success in his first playoffs, the Suns look to knock off the Nuggets.

Well, on a scorching hot day in the Valley, Deandre Ayton and the No. 2 seeded Suns finally returned to the court to kick-off the highly anticipated matchup with Aaron Gordon, Zeke Nnaji, and the No. 3 seeded Nuggets.

From the start, Ayton was spectacular! Applying lockdown defense to the NBA’s MVP Nikola Jokic, however, Ayton just as impressive on the offensive end. Finishing the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds, no bucket was perhaps bigger in this one than his dunk over Michael Porter, Jr. which got the fans going.

As for the Suns? They rolled in Phoenix to open up game one, beating the Denver Nuggets by a 122-105 final.

With Phoenix taking the 1-0 lead in the series, the momentum is currently in the Suns’ hands, and we will see if they can keep it going.

As for Gordon, the former Wildcat had one hell of a day himself, finishing with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists, meanwhile Nnaji had three points in just two minutes played.

How to follow Game 2 Action: 

Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Location: Talking Stick Arena (Phoenix, AZ)
Time: 6:30 PM
TV: TNT

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