Suns star center Deandre Ayton left Friday night’s win over the Pelicans with an ankle injury, leaving Phoenix shorthanded in its frontcourt.
Ayton suffered the injury in the first quarter when he pulled up for a midrange jumper and landed on Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas’ foot.
He did not return to the game and is expected to miss additional time.
For the latest on Ayton’s injury, The Sporting News has you covered below.
What is Deandre Ayton’s injury?
Ayton suffered a left ankle sprain in the first quarter against the Pelicans after he pulled up for a midrange jumper and landed on Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas’ foot.
Deandre Ayton left tonight’s game with a sprained ankle and will not return. pic.twitter.com/eh8re1jlnr
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) October 29, 2022
The play looked like a violation of the “Zaza Rule” — which was unofficially named after the time Zaza Pachulia recklessly closed out on Kawhi Leonard in the 2017 playoffs, forcing the star forward to miss the remainder of the postseason with an ankle injury — but Valanciunas was not issued a flagrant foul.
The next day, Suns head coach Monty Williams shared his thoughts on the no-call.
“I’m grateful it wasn’t worse,” Williams said. “… I don’t think Valanciunas did that on purpose but it should have been called a foul.”
How long will Deandre Ayton be out?
Coach Williams said the team will re-evaluate Ayton’s ankle in a week, assuring the Suns center will be out until at least Saturday, Oct. 29.
Suns say center Deandre Ayton will miss at least one week due to a left ankle sprain.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 29, 2022
Suns upcoming schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Oct. 30 | vs. Rockets | 9:00 PM |
| Nov. 1 | vs. Timberwolves | 10:00 PM |
| Nov. 4 | vs. Trail Blazers | 10:00 PM |
| Nov. 5 | vs. Trail Blazers | 10:00 PM |
| Nov. 7 | at 76ers | 8:00 PM |
