Former Wildcat Deandre Ayton hits game-winner for Suns

PHOENIX, AZ – The Phoenix Suns take a commanding 2-0 in the Western Conference Finals after former Wildcat Deandre Ayton hits the game-winner.  

Continuing his dominant playoff run, former Wildcat Deandre Ayton came up big for the Phoenix Suns once again, scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds on 12-15 shooting, including the game-winner with 0.9 seconds left.

Coming into the game with a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals, the Suns were still without star point guard, Chris Paul, and needed a big performance from virtually everyone if they were going to win.

Arizona Wildcats

Already, former Wildcat Deandre Ayton has been having a huge postseason for the Phoenix Suns, but would be able to come up big again?

In front of a packed and raucous crowd in downtown Phoenix, the Suns continued their winning ways, extending their playoff win streak to nine in a row, especially behind the play of Ayton.

From the start, the Bahamian big man was monstrous. Scoring at will and dominating the paint, he was a presence down low as the Suns climbed out to a 41-34 first-half lead before the Los Angeles Clippers started to come back.

Leading 48-47, Los Angeles would take the early 51-48 lead in the second half, before Ayton and the Suns responded.

Battling back-and-forth, Deandre would come up big for the Suns, sparking the offense from his stellar defense, grabbing rebounds, and running the floor. Quickly, the Suns jumped back out to a 67-59 lead after a Devin Booker to Ayton alley-oop that electrified the crowd.

Unfortunately, the Suns wouldn’t be able to build off that lead as the Clippers slowly climbed back in, making this one a little too close for comfort.

Well, after a competitive fourth quarter, the Suns would find themselves in dire straits as the Clippers took the lead at 103-102 with 0.9 seconds left.

With a win seeming to be unlikely, Suns forward Jae Crowder would give Phoenix one last chance as he inbounded the ball near the Suns’ basket.

With just 0.9 to play, Crowder would place a perfect pass just above the rim, allowing for a surging Ayton to fight through the defense and slam it home over a rising Ivica Zubac to give the Suns the 104-103 lead and eventual win.

The play in question didn’t come without a little bit of controversy, however, as there was some initial confusion about the legality of the play. However, on inbound passes, it is a live ball that cannot be “shot” from the inbounder, so Ayton was right in showing awareness and putting it through the hoop just before time expired.

Los Angeles would get one more opportunity to make a play, however, the Clippers were unable to capitalize, giving the Suns the win and 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals.

With the win, Phoenix is just two wins away from appearing in their first NBA Finals since 1993, and Ayton has been a big part of that along the way. Just 22 years old, Ayton is understanding his role and is delivering on the biggest stages at every juncture.

Watch the former Wildcat as he talks about his game-winner!