In Game 1 of the Suns’ first-round matchup against the Pelicans, Deandre Ayton picked up right where he left off from his last appearance in the postseason. In a double-digit Phoenix win, Ayton scored 21 points on 10-for-15 shooting, adding nine rebounds and four blocks while anchoring the team’s stout defense. This kind of performance has become routine for Ayton, who averaged a 16 and 12 on 66% shooting for the Suns during their run to the Finals last summer—including 10 games in which he shot over 70% percent. And that taste of success has only emboldened Ayton as Phoenix looks to capture the championship that eluded them a season ago.
Behind Deandre Ayton’s Desire to Dominate the NBA Playoffs
