The Phoenix Suns won a third straight game Friday as they topped New Orleans.
Ayton finished with those four points and three rebounds in eight minutes. The Suns have backup bigs with Jock Landale, Dario Saric and Biyombo, and made it through Friday’s game without him, but the bigger question is how long with Ayton be out.Ayton missed seven games last season with a right ankle sprain. The Suns won all in January.
Expect him to miss at least one game as the Suns play Sunday against Houston as part of a six-game homestand. The next three after that are against Minnesota and Portland in a back-to-back before beginning a four-game road trip Nov. 7 at Philadelphia. The Suns have a history of being careful with injuries. Ayton could easily miss the rest of the homestand and return during the road trip that continues with Minnesota, Orlando and ends Nov. 14 at Miami.He got under Chris Paul’s skin and every Suns fans during last year’s playoffs.So he heard the boos right from the rip Friday. And then when he decided to have some words for Chris Paul, that made the Suns fans really get on him.
Hit 3-of-5 from 3. Had four assists and went 4-of-4 from the line. With Ayton out and Booker having an off night , the Suns needed an offensive jolt.The Suns and Pelicans are mirrors of each other in terms of style of play, strategy and schemes, but Paul pointed out one difference.The Suns didn’t look like the older team.Williams talked before the game about New Orleans living in the paint. The Pelicans had 56 in Tuesday’s win over Dallas.