Former Wildcat Deandre Ayton dominates in Suns’ win

LOS ANGELES, CA – While Devin Booker and Chris Paul still struggle, former Wildcat Deandre Ayton came up big, helping deliver the win for Phoenix. 

It wasn’t pretty, but, it was a win for the Phoenix Suns as Deandre Ayton finished his day with 19 points, 22 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and four blocks. Even finishing with a team high +8 as the Suns won 84-80 in Los Angeles.

Through four games, this series has been a grueling one. Phoenix was without star point guard Chris Paul for two games and Devin Booker broke his nose after an inadvertent head butt from Patrick Beverly in game two.

Arizona Wildcats

Well, with that kind of misfortune for Phoenix, it has allowed Ayton to step up on the biggest stage of his career up to this point, and so far, the former Wildcat has stood up to the challenge, even delivering an exciting game-winner in game two.

Former Wildcat Deandre Ayton’s growth and maturity have helped the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

So far in his first playoffs appearance, Ayton is proving to many just why he was the No. 1 pick out of Arizona. Just 22 years old, the sky is the limit for the Bahamian big man, and through 14 games, he is averaging 16.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game as the Suns are 11-3 during that stretch.

In this series against the Los Angeles Clippers, he has been even better, averaging 20.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game as Phoenix has taken a commanding 3-1 lead.

Whether it is on offense or defense, he has responded in a big way, and because of his play, he and the Suns are now just one win away from making their first NBA Finals since 1993. Phoenix of course lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls 4-2 in that series.

If Phoenix is going to win their first-ever NBA Title, Ayton is going to have to continue to play as he has done in these playoffs.

Watch Deandre as he addresses the media following the Suns’ game four win.