The Suns have ruled out center Deandre Ayton for Thursday’s pivotal Game 6 against Denver due to the rib contusion he sustained in Game 5, league sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
On Wednesday, Phoenix ruled out point guard Chris Paul, who is battling a left groin strain, while Ayton was listed as questionable. Something troublesome must have been discovered during his medical evaluation, as the big man has been downgraded to out.
The team will now be playing without two starters in an elimination game, as the Suns trail the Nuggets 3-2 in their second-round series.
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Twitter link) hears that guard Landry Shamet will enter the starting lineup tonight — I’m assuming that will be in place of Cameron Payne, who has been filling in for Paul, and not for Ayton. Backup centers Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo figure to see extended playing time in the middle with Ayton out.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report argued before the news broke that the Suns would be better off giving the majority of Ayton’s minutes to Landale. Phoenix is minus-59 in Ayton’s 149 minutes in the series, but plus-27 in Landale’s 74 minutes.
The Nuggets might be shorthanded as well. Guard Jamal Murray is questionable with a non-COVID illness that has been traveling through the team, according to Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports (Twitter links).
Murray was unable to participate in Thursday’s shootaround, which was cut short due to the illness that’s going around, but Denver is hopeful he’ll be able to suit up, tweets Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. Head coach Michael Malone and a “handful of players” are among those who have been affected, Youngmisuk adds.
Oh my goodness. Who sits out pivotal game 6? Oh that’s right the guy with a guaranteed contract. With the mindset of some of these guys makes me wonder how NFL players even suit up every Sunday.
Granted, rib contusion is not a fun injury. Actually makes it hard to breathe. But ribs broken or fractured is a different story. Wrap the Torso with all that crap I’ve seen and get out there even if you’re 75%.
Let the coach decide if you’re more effective than the two backups but at least suit up !!
Granted, given the numbers in this series, it does genuinely seem like Landale is better.
You cannot even run up and down the court with a bad rib contusion. Toughness or not. If he tries to run out there Jokic will eat him (even more) for lunch.
You two are both right and I guess Tori Craig can fill in also in the pivot. But what if a guy gets in foul trouble early or whatever. Maybe gets hurt himself. I think you at least have to suit up just in case you can go out there for 15 minutes and maybe 3 fouls. I don’t know I guess I’m wrong. I just can’t see not being out there but it’s his body his choice. Can’t fault the guy if he doesn’t think he’ll benefit the team. You guys are right, especially if what you’re saying seamaholic and he probably can’t run..
I hate to question injs , but questioning Aytons heart is 100% valid imo
One things for sure is that Phx”s crowd sure does appreciate Jocks mins more than they do DA’s – I’m sure Monty’s not far behind them either
Tho it be rare, I see Phx parcelling DA this off-season for like 3 role players – They got 3 more times into the Beach , I don’t think they want to enter future battles w this guy
Its the Rona!
Ya,in game 6, do or die, back-up-against-the-wall, last chance to tie, this is the big one, if this was in the playoffs, would play, no heart, not worth the contract, suns-golf-clubs out for the summer, new SUNS coach 2023-24, shouldn’t of traded Bridges and Johnson, and all those 1st and 2nd round picks for Durant and change, needed to have gotten a backup point guard for post season, there is always next year!
The Suns always have a puncher’s chance with KD & Book in the lineup. If Murray is out, it certainly helps the Suns too. But… who stops the Joker???
batman.