The Phoenix Suns are already going to be without future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul for Thursday’s Game 6 outing against the Denver Nuggets.
This will represent the fourth consecutive game CP3 has missed since suffering a groin strain earlier in the Western Conference Semifinals.
We now have more unfortunate Suns injury news as they face elimination at home Thursday evening. Initially listed as questionable with a rib contusion, star center Deandre Ayton has been ruled out hours before tip-off in the desert.
This could have some massive implications as the Phoenix Suns look to extend the series to Game 7 in Denver. As anyone who has been paying attention to this series knows, Phoenix has relied too much on the star tandem of Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
The two combined for 61% of Pheonix’ points as it evened the series in Game 3 and 4 at home. In the 118-102 loss to Denver in Game 5, Ayton was the Suns’ third-leading scorer with 14 points. No other member of the team scored double digits in the loss.
Related: Devin Booker joins Michael Jordan in elite company despite Phoenix Suns loss
Deandre Ayton stats (conference semifinals): 10.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 58% shooting
With both Paul and Ayton out for Game 6, the Suns’ third-leading scorer in this series is Landry Shamet at 8.0 PPG. Ayton’s replacement, Jock Landale, comes in fourth at 5.2 PPG.
Obviously, Monty Williams’ squad will now have to rely even more on a combo in Booker and Durant who is averaging a combined 65.4 points per game in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Even that might not be enough given the presence of Nikola Jokic on the other side. Deandre Ayton has been tasked with defending the two-time NBA MVP through five games.
Even with Ayton on him, Jokic is averaging a triple-double (35.0 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 10.0 APG). The onus will now fall on both Landale and deep reserve option Bismack Biyombo to at least contain Jokic. Good luck with that.
Game 6 tips off from Phoenix Thursday night at 10:00 PM ET on ESPN.