Phoenix Suns starting center Deandre Ayton said he is “ready to go” for his team’s first game in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on Sunday after missing its last three regular-season contests due to left knee soreness.
Ayton, who was previously one of two Suns players along with starting forward Mikal Bridges to not miss a game this season, said his soreness was something he would have pushed through in a playoff setting. With the opportunity to rest, he indicated he is now “fully healthy” as Phoenix begins its first postseason run since 2009-10.