Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has been ruled out in Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets due to a rib contusion.
Suns center Deandre Ayton has been ruled out of Game 6 tonight vs. Nuggets due to his rib contusion, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 11, 2023
The Suns face elimination in the playoffs, down 2-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals series.
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Deandre Ayton to miss Game 6 vs. Nuggets
The 24-year-old center appeared to have sustained the injury during the first quarter of Game 5 after a collision with Nuggets guard Bruce Brown, but he played through it for the rest of the game.
The Bahamian has had an up-and-down series. He was criticized for getting benched in crunch time during their Game 3 win in favor of undrafted Australian Jock Landale. The 7-footer eventually bounced back in the next two games, finishing with 14 points and 9 rebounds in 32 minutes in Game 5 despite already suffering from the rib injury.
The former 1st overall pick averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting nearly 59% from the field in 67 appearances during the 2022-23 regular season.
Ayton is not the only Suns' starter missing Game 6. Phoenix will also be playing without star point guard Chris Paul, who is out too with a groin injury.
These injuries are a huge blow to the Suns' depth, which was already lacking after trading many of their pieces to acquire superstar Kevin Durant.
Game 6 will be on Thursday at the Ball Arena in Denver.
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