Deandre Ayton Injury News & Updates

Ayton ended Sunday's 112-108 win over Philadelphia with 14 points (7-7 FG), 12 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 31 minutes.

Ayton went perfect from the field for the first time this season, and has been on a tear offensively. In his last six games, Ayton averages 14.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.7 blocks across 30.3 minutes, shooting a staggering 73.6 percent from the field and 90.9 percent from the charity stripe.

Ayton supplied 14 points (7-7 FG), 12 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 31 minutes during Sunday's 112-108 win over the 76ers.

Ayton went perfect from the field and cruised to a double-double with a strong showing on the boards. This marks his first double-double of the month and his ninth through 21 appearances this season. He's averaging 12.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks through four December matchups.

Ayton (knee) is off the injury report for Monday's game against the Suns, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

After leaving Sunday's game against the Pelicans due to right knee soreness, Ayton is good to go Monday and shouldn't have any restrictions. The star big man has averaged 16.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 29.5 minutes per tilt in 17 games this season.

Ayton exited Sunday's game and did not return due to right knee soreness, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Ayton appeared to be favoring his right knee, which is the same knee he has been experiencing discomfort in over the last week, before taking himself out of the game. The Lakers were sporting a comfortable lead, so it remains unclear if Ayton would have been able to return to the game had it been competitive. If he is forced to miss time, Jaxson Hayes figures to see an expanded role.

Ayton (knee) will play in Friday's game against the Mavericks, NBA reporter Marc Stein reports.

Ayton is returning from a one-game absence with a knee issue. The star big man should have no limits on his playing time Friday. Ayton has averaged 16.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 steals in 27.8 minutes per game across his last nine appearances.

Ayton (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Mavericks, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Ayton has missed the Lakers' last two games due to a right knee contusion. It appears the eighth-year center is on track to play Friday, and Ayton's return would likely send Jaxson Hayes back to the bench. Across nine games in November, Ayton has averaged 16.0 points on 74.7 percent shooting, 8.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 steals over 27.8 minutes per game.

Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Ayton was forced out of Sunday's game after bruising his right knee, and now he will miss Tuesday's game. It's not a great sign that he's getting ruled out 24 hours in advance of tip-off, but the good news is that after Tuesday's game, the Lakers are off until Friday, meaning Ayton will have four full days to rest up. Jaxson Hayes will likely get the start in his absence, and Maxi Kleber should be able to get into the rotation.

Ayton (knee) won't return to Sunday's game against the Jazz, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Ayton sustained a right knee contusion in the first half and won't return in the second. He'll finish with two points (1-2 FG), three rebounds and one steal in 13 minutes. Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber are candidates for increased minutes the rest of the way. Ayton's next chance to play will come Tuesday against the Clippers.

Ayton is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Jazz due to a right knee contusion, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

Ayton presumably sustained the knee injury in the first half, during which he posted two points (1-2 FG), three rebounds and one steal in 13 minutes. Jaxson Hayes started the second half in place of Ayton, though Maxi Kleber could also see increased run the rest of the way if Ayton is unable to return.

Ayton (illness) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game in Utah, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Ayton did not participate in Saturday's practice due to an illness, but that won't stop him from taking the floor for Sunday's game in Utah. The big man is averaging 16.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game on the season.

Ayton did not participate in Saturday's practice due to an illness, but he will travel with the Lakers ahead of Sunday's game against the Jazz, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Ayton can be considered questionable for Sunday's contest, and his status will become more clear when he goes through morning shootarounds and pregame warmups. Ayton's absence would likely lead to Jaxson Hayes entering the Lakers' starting five, and Maxi Kleber would be in line for minutes off the bench. Over his last eight games, Ayton has averaged 17.8 points on 75.3 percent shooting, 9.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals over 29.6 minutes per game, and he has registered a double-double in three consecutive outings.

Ayton finished Tuesday's 140-126 win over the Jazz with 20 points (10-13 FG, 0-2 FT), 14 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 30 minutes.

Ayton has now put up 20 points in three straight contests, and benefited from the return of LeBron James (sciatica) with easy baskets. Ayton is averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.9 blocks across 30.4 minutes this season.

Ayton finished Saturday's 119-95 win over the Bucks with 20 points (9-13 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one block and two steals over 28 minutes.

Ayton needed a few games to get into the flow of the Lakers' offense, but his results in recent games have been excellent. The veteran big man has been making his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball but is also putting up solid numbers on offense as a secondary weapon behind the Luka Doncic - Austin Reaves duo. Ayton has four double-doubles in seven appearances in November, averaging 17.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game in that span.

Ayton logged 20 points (10-11 FG), 16 rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in 36 minutes during Friday's 118-104 victory over New Orleans.

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves led the way for the Lakers in this victory, but the impressive performance of Ayton can't be overlooked. The big man, who had a few problems adjusting to the offense at first, has been putting up good numbers of late, though this was his most efficient performance by a wide margin after missing just one of his 11 shots. This was Ayton's fifth double-double of the season, and it was also the fourth time he scored at least 20 points. Since missing the Nov. 2 win over Miami, Ayton is shooting an impressive 48-for-63 from the floor in six games -- good for a 76.1 field goal percentage.

Ayton registered 11 points (5-5 FG, 1-1 FT) and five rebounds over 20 minutes during Saturday's 122-102 loss to Atlanta.

Ayton came up short of recording what would've been a third straight double-double, and this five-rebound haul was his worst output of the campaign in that category if excluding the Oct. 31 game when he didn't record a single board against the Grizzlies. Ayton is not going to be a go-to option on offense any time soon for the Lakers, but the big man is making the most of his touches. As long as he can continue to crash the glass and remain serviceable on offense, he should have some decent upside, especially since he'll eventually play alongside both LeBron James (nerve) and Luka Doncic together, a scenario that would increase his possibilities near the rim, either as a lob threat or as an outlier in attacks to the rim.

Ayton closed Wednesday's 118-116 win over the Spurs with 22 points (9-13 FG, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 33 minutes.

The double-double was Ayton's second straight since returning from a one-game absence due to back spasms, and his fourth of the season inn eight contests. The 27-year-old center is averaging 17.5 points, 8.4 boards, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 assists to begin his first season with the Lakers, and his rebounding numbers should tick up as the campaign progresses -- Ayton has never failed to average a double-double in the NBA since being drafted first overall in the Suns in 2018.

Ayton finished with 29 points (14-19 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists across 31 minutes in Monday's 123-115 win over the Trail Blazers.

Ayton returned to action after missing Sunday's win over Miami due to back spasms and delivered an extremely efficient performance. With Luka Doncic (finger), Austin Reaves (groin) and LeBron James (sciatica) sidelined, Ayton finished as the Lakers' leading scorer, securing his second outing with at least 20 points through seven regular-season appearances. The big man also grabbed a game-high mark in rebounds en route to his third double-double of the campaign. The 27-year-old was productive on the defensive end against one of his former teams as well, chipping in a game- and season-best three blocks.

Ayton (back) is available for Monday's game against Portland, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

After missing Sunday's win over the Heat due to back spasms, Ayton will return to action in the second leg of the Lakers' back-to-back set. Over six regular-season appearances thus far, the big man has averaged 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 31.3 minutes per contest.

Ayton (back) is questionable for Monday's game against Portland, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.

After sitting out Sunday's game against the Heat in what was the first leg of a back-to-back set, Ayton is still ailing. If he's able to get the green light Monday, he's likely to see a spike in usage with Luka Doncic (rest) and Austin Reaves (groin) both sidelined.

Ayton (back) is out for Sunday's game against the Heat.

Ayton will not play in Sunday's contest due to back spasms that arose during Friday's bout against the Grizzlies. Jaxson Hayes figures to see an expanded role at center, while Jarred Vanderbilt could also get extra run to supplement the frontcourt.

Ayton (back) is now questionable for Sunday's game against the Heat, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Ayton was originally labeled probable for Sunday's game, but he has now been downgraded to questionable as he continues to deal with tightness and spasms in his back. If he is unable to go, Jaxson Hayes figures to see an expanded role.

Ayton (back) is probable for Sunday's game against the Heat, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Ayton experienced back spasms during Friday's win over the Grizzlies and didn't return. According to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register, head coach JJ Redick said the big man was available to check back in but was held out as a precaution. Over six regular-season games, Ayton has averaged 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 31.5 minutes per contest.

Ayton logged only 17 minutes on the floor Friday before not returning due to back spasms, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Ayton was available to return in the fourth quarter, according to head coach JJ Redick. However, the team chose to keep him sidelined as a precaution. The veteran big man finished with nine points and no other stats across the board.

Ayton had 17 points (8-11 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and one block in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 116-115 win over the Timberwolves.

Ayton crafted his second double-double of the season during the thrilling last-second win. The Lakers are currently riddled with injuries, and Ayton is one of the last vestiges of what was the team's projected starting lineup to begin the season. He's enjoyed a solid start to the season, averaging 16.0 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots over five games.

Ayton ended with 22 points (10-17 FG, 2-4 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 36 minutes during Sunday's 127-120 victory over Sacramento.

It was Ayton's first double-double in three games, and the 22 points were also his best showing in a Lakers jersey. The 27-year-old big man saw increased usage Sunday with both Luka Doncic (finger) and LeBron James (back) sidelined, and his 17 FG attempts equaled his total from the first two games of the season combined. Ayton will play a key role in the Los Angeles frontcourt in 2025-26 and has averaged a double-double in every one of his seven NBA campaigns so far, but Ayton's numbers could be even better than usual in the short term until the team's biggest stars get healthy.

Ayton posted 10 points (5-7 FG, 0-2 FT), six rebounds and one block over 34 minutes during Tuesday's 119-109 loss to the Warriors.

Despite playing 34 minutes, Ayton failed to offer anything of note, a worrying sign given his history. While all the signs pointed to him being primed and ready to go, this performance won't do him any favors. With that said, it is just one game, so there is still ample time for him to turn things around, starting when the Lakers play the Timberwolves on Friday.

Ayton totaled 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and. blocked shot across 30 minutes during Friday's 117-116 loss to the Kings.

Ayton finished off the preseason in great form. Although Jaxson Hayes is a solid frontcourt player, the Lakers were hurting under the basket after Anthony Davis' departure. The gap was evident toward the end of the season, especially on defense. Finding another option in the off-season was a no-brainer, and the team hopes that Ayton will be the long-term answer for the role. Ayton's numbers should be much better than what he compiled during his tenure in Portland.

Ayton is in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against the Kings, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Ayton is back from a rest day, which will result in Jaxson Hayes returning to the second unit. Joining Ayton in the starting five for Friday's preseason finale will be Gabe Vincent, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.

Ayton (rest) play in Friday's preseason finale against the Kings, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

The star big man didn't play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Mavericks, but he's lined up for action Friday. It's set to be Ayton's final exhibition reps prior to Opening Night.

Ayton (rest) won't play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Mavericks, NBA reporter Jovan Buha reports.

Ayton will rest Thursday, joining several other Lakers regulars on the sidelines for the team's penultimate preseason game. The big man is coming off a strong showing Tuesday, when he posted 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and one assist across 26 minutes. The Arizona product will have one final opportunity to see preseason action Friday against the Kings.

Ayton supplied 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and one assist over 26 minutes in Tuesday's 113-104 preseason loss to the Suns.

Ayton recorded his first double-double of the preseason Tuesday and made a strong defensive impact with five combined blocks and steals. The big man appears to be rounding into form ahead of the regular season after a quiet Lakers debut Oct. 3, when he managed just one point in 18 minutes.

Ayton managed seven points (3-8 FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes during Sunday's 111-103 loss to the Warriors.

Ayton struggled on the offensive end once again Sunday, scoring an inefficient seven points. Following a one-point performance in his debut for the Lakers on Friday, the hope was that Ayton would be more of a factor, especially against a team like the Warriors. Both LeBron James (pinched nerve) and Luka Doncic (rest) were sidelined once again, hypothetically pushing Ayton up in the offensive pecking order. While it is a very small sample size, Ayton will need to be more involved come opening night, should the Lakers hope to challenge in what promises to be a highly competitive Western Conference.

Ayton was held to just one point (0-2 FG, 1-2 FT) in Friday's blowout preseason loss to Phoenix, adding eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, two blocks and an unfortunate four turnovers over 18 minutes.

While Ayton did do a decent job on the glass, and he managed to collect some defensive stats, he still left a lot to be desired on the offensive end. He attempted just two shots through the first half of action, despite the Lakers being desperate for offense without both LeBron James (pinched nerve) and Luka Doncic (rest), and he didn't attempt a single shot over the second half. It'll be tough for him to find his rhythm competing for touches in L.A. with the likes of Doncic, James and Austin Reaves.

Ayton (calf) agreed to a two-year, $16.6 million contract with the Lakers on Wednesday, NBA reporter Jake Fischer reports.

After a two-year stint with the Blazers, Ayton heads to the Lakers to fill their void at the center position. The veteran big man averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 56.6 percent from the field during the 2024-25 campaign.

Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Trail Blazers on Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Ayton being bought out of his contract makes him a free agent once he clears waivers, and he will likely garner interest from around the league as one of the best centers on the market. The 26-year-old big man played in just 40 games last season and did not appear in a game following the All-Star break due to a calf injury. In those 40 games, he averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 30.2 minutes per contest.

Ayton (calf) is out for Sunday's game against the Lakers.

Ayton didn't log a single appearance for the Trail Blazers since the All-Star break. He ends the season with averages of 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game across 40 starts.

Ayton (calf) won't play in Friday's game against the Warriors.

Ayton hasn't taken the court since Feb. 10 after picking up a left calf strain, and his season is likely over. The Blazers will wrap up the regular season Sunday against the Lakers, though it would seem unlikely that Ayton gains clearance to return for the finale.

Ayton is out for Wednesday's game against the Jazz due to a left calf strain.

Wednesday will mark a 26th absence in a row for Ayton. Although Portland has not yet officially ruled out the star big man for the reminder of the year, it would be somewhat surprising to see him appear in either of the club's final two contests, given the lack of updates on his status since he went down. Donovan Clingan has averaged 8.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 steals in 28.4 minutes over his last seven games in Ayton's stead.

Ayton (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Spurs.

Ayton will miss a 25th straight game for the Trail Blazers while dealing with a calf issue. The next opportunity for the veteran big man to return to the floor will be Wednesday against the Jazz.

Ayton (calf) will not play Friday against the Bulls.

No surprise here, as Ayton's timetable has yet to be updated -- this will be his 23rd game in a row on the shelf and he remains out indefinitely.

Ayton (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Raptors.

Ayton will miss a 22nd straight game for the Trail Blazers as he deals with a strained left calf. The next opportunity for the veteran big man to return to the floor will be Friday against the Bulls.

Ayton (calf) will not play Tuesday against the Hawks.

Ayton has been sidelined since Feb. 12 due to a left calf strain, and there hasn't been many updates on his progress since. The center remains without a timetable for a return.

Ayton (calf) will not play Sunday against the Knicks.

Ayton has been sidelined since Feb. 12 due to the left calf strain, and there's been no indication from the Trail Blazers that he's getting closer to a return. Fantasy managers can consider him doubtful for Tuesday's game against Atlanta.

Ayton (calf) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Denver.

Ayton has been sidelined since Feb. 12 due to the left calf strain, and there's no clear timetable for his return. The big man was expected to be re-evaluated after four weeks, though the club has not provided any new information on his status. He can be considered week-to-week until the club offers a new update.

Portland announced Wednesday that Ayton has been diagnosed with a left calf strain and that he will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

This is a brutal blow for Ayton and Portland, as this sidelines him through at least March 15th. The Trail Blazers are unlikely to be playing for much by that point, so he could miss additional time. Donovan Clingan will be a popular fantasy pickup in the meantime, and Robert Williams (knee) could emerge with some fantasy value once he gets healthy.

Ayton (calf) is out for Wednesday's game versus the Nuggets.

Ayton suffered a left calf strain against Denver on Monday and will be forced to sit out Wednesday's rematch. Donovan Clingan will likely receive increased playing time in his absence. Ayton's next chance to suit up will come after the All-Star break against the Lakers on Dec. 20.

Ayton won't return to Monday's game against the Nuggets due to a left calf injury.

Ayton suffered the non-contact injury in the third quarter and required assistance walking back to the locker room. He finished the game with 10 points (5-9 FG) and one block across 19 minutes. The big man will likely undergo further testing before the club provides another update on his status, though Donovan Clingan should see an uptick in playing time if Ayton misses additional time.

Ayton was helped back to the locker room after sustaining an apparent calf injury in the third quarter of Monday's game against the Nuggets, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.

Ayton suffered the non-contact injury and immediately reached for his calf before going to the bench. The big man was then carried to the locker room while struggling to put much weight on the leg. If Ayton is unable to return, Donovan Clingan and Jabari Walker are candidates for a bump in minutes.

Ayton racked up six points (2-6 FG, 2-4 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists and one block in 32 minutes during Saturday's 114-98 loss to the Timberwolves.

Ayton was quiet on the offensive end, though he did rack up a game-high mark in rebounds. The big man is on pace to average a double-double through 39 regular-season appearances, and he has posted double-digit rebounds in 21 outings thus far. The seventh-year pro has been efficient despite a couple of single-digit scoring outings in his last five outings, during which he has averaged 16.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 blocks while shooting 53.2 percent from the field in 32.0 minutes per contest.

Ayton logged 25 points (9-22 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 7-8 FT), 20 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 42 minutes during Monday's 121-119 overtime win over the Suns.

The Trail Blazers took a second straight game away from the Suns as Ayton throttled his former team. Now at full health, Portland is feeling the groove with eight wins over its past nine games, and Ayton's four double-doubles have been a key part of the effort. Their only loss over the span came against the Thunder during an Ayton absence, and they only lost by 10 points to the Western Conference frontrunners.

Ayton notched 24 points (11-12 FG, 2-3 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and one block over 33 minutes during Saturday's 127-108 victory over the Suns.

Ayton posted 20-plus points for the fourth game in a row while finishing as the club's leading scorer, shooting a near-perfect 11-for-12 from the field. The big man continues to fill the stat sheet, though his availability has been a glaring issue of late, as he has missed five of Portland's last 12 outings. In three appearances following a three-game absence due to a left knee sprain, Ayton has averaged 22.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks in 34.0 minutes per contest.

Ayton provided 22 points (10-12 FG, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and three steals over 35 minutes during Thursday's 119-90 victory over the Magic.

Ayton was only two boards away from recording a double-double, but the veteran big man also made his presence in other areas. The scoring touch was efficient as well, as he missed just two of his 12 attempts en route to his third straight game with at least 20 points. The availability issues remain a problem, as Ayton has missed five games since the beginning of January, but he's finding ways to produce. He's averaging 13.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game across 11 January appearances.

Ayton (knee) tallied 21 points (9-19 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block across 34 minutes in Tuesday's 125-112 win over the Bucks.

Ayton operated without any restrictions in his return from a three-game absence due to a left knee sprain, as he exceeded his season-long average in minutes (30.1 per game) while claiming his third consecutive double-double and making contributions in both of the defensive categories. With the 18-29 Trail Blazers being well removed from playoff contention, Ayton could find himself at risk of being held out due to minor injuries in the second half of the season. When available, however, he should make for a strong source of rebounds and efficient scoring.

Ayton (knee) is available for Tuesday's game versus the Bucks, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.

Ayton has been upgraded from questionable to available Tuesday after missing Portland's previous three outings due to a sprained left knee. The 26-year-old big man will likely reclaim his starting spot from Donovan Clingan. Ayton is averaging 11.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 28.7 minutes across his last 10 appearances.

Ayton (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.

Ayton is in jeopardy of missing a fourth straight game Tuesday due to a left knee sprain. If the star big man cannot suit up for the Trail Blazers against Milwaukee, the lion's share of the center minutes would be divvied up among rookie first-rounder Donovan Clingan and veteran Robert Williams in Portland's rotation.

Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Thunder, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

Ayton will miss his third straight game due to a left knee sprain, and his next opportunity to play will be Tuesday against the Bucks. Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams (hand) will serve as the Blazers' top centers Sunday due to Ayton's injury.

Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Hornets.

Ayton will miss his second consecutive contest due to left knee soreness, and his next chance to suit up will come Sunday against Oklahoma City. With the big man joining Robert Williams (hand) on the shelf, Donovan Clingan (ankle) and Jabari Walker could see increased roles.

Ayton (knee) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Magic, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Ayton has been downgraded from questionable to out Tuesday due to left knee soreness. Robert Williams will draw the start at center in his absence. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Charlotte.

Ayton (knee) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Magic, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

Ayton is coming off one of his best performances of the season for the Trail Blazers, posting a double-double in Tuesday's win against the Heat. However, he got hurt on his way to 22 points and 15 rebounds, which puts his status in doubt against Orlando. If Ayton can't play Thursday, Robert Williams could see more time on the floor.

Ayton supplied 22 points (11-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 15 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 116-107 victory over the Heat.

This was a tough defensive matchup for Ayton with Miami starting Kel'el Ware next to Bam Adebayo, but he responded with one of his best performances of the campaign. Ayton has had a lackluster January overall, but he's trending up in his last three outings with averages of 17.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.7 blocks on 59.5 percent shooting from the field.

Ayton chipped in 15 points (7-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 37 minutes during Sunday's 113-102 victory over the Bulls.

Ayton was one of the top performers for the Blazers in this solid win over the Bulls, and the veteran was able to make his presence felt on both ends of the court. Even though he's missed two of his last five contests, Ayton has often been a regular when available. He's averaging 10.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks per game over his last 10 contests.

Ayton (back) is available for Sunday's game against the Bulls, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.

Ayton was deemed probable earlier Sunday for the second leg of this back-to-back set, and he'll end up starting due to the absences of Robert Williams (rest) and Donovan Clingan (ankle). Ayton is averaging 9.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game across seven contests since the beginning of January.

Ayton (back) is probable for Sunday's game against the Bulls, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.

The Blazers will have to tweak their lineup Sunday since Ayton has a shot at suiting up while Robert Williams (rest) won't feature. Ayton is averaging 9.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game across seven contests since the beginning of January.

Ayton (back) will not play Saturday against the Rockets, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.

Ayton was late addition to the injury report and will be held out Saturday. His status for Sunday's game against the Bulls is in the air for the time being. Jerami Grant (face) is available Saturday and could pick up some of the scoring slack, while Robert Williams and Duop Reath are candidates to see more minutes.

Ayton is listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus the Rockets due to low back soreness.

Ayton hadn't appeared on the injury report all day but is now in danger of missing Saturday's contest due to a back issue. If Ayton is ultimately ruled out, Robert Williams and Duop Reath are candidates to receive increased playing time.

Ayton had two points (1-4 FG) and eight rebounds in 24 minutes during Tuesday's 132-114 loss to the Nets.

After returning from a one-game absence due to left calf soreness, Ayton had a nightmare showing as he was held to a season-low two points. January has been a tough month for the center, as he's posting averages of 8.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.8 blocks in 27.0 minutes per contest.

Ayton (calf) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's game against Brooklyn.

Ayton sat out of Saturday's action due to left calf soreness, but he's set to return following a brief absence. He's averaging 10.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists over his last five appearances.

Ayton (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Heat, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

Ayton popped up on Friday's injury report due to left calf soreness, and it appears he'll need to sit out of Saturday's contest in order to avoid aggravating the injury. His next opportunity to play will be Tuesday against the Nets. With Ayton and Robert Williams (illness) both out, Donovan Clingan will get the start at center.

Ayton (calf) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Heat.

Ayton played just 21 minutes during the Trail Blazers' 117-111 loss to the Mavericks on Sunday, which could partially have been due to a left calf issue. Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams (rest) would be in line for more minutes Saturday if Ayton is unable to play.

Ayton logged six points (3-6 FG), six rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal across 21 minutes during Thursday's 117-111 loss to the Mavericks.

Despite starting, Ayton logged just 21 minutes compared to Donovan Clingan's 24. Ayton is still producing at a level, averaging 13.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks in 29.3 minutes across his last 10 appearances. However, it is worth monitoring to see if the 26-year-old center continues to have his playing time reduced.

Ayton chipped in 18 points (9-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 11 rebounds, four assists and one block in 35 minutes during Monday's 118-115 loss to Detroit.

Ayton held things down in the paint for Portland in Monday's outing, leading all players in rebounds while ending as the lone player with a double-double in a losing effort. Ayton notched his 15th double-double of the season, doing so in six of his last 10 outings and in two straight contests.

Ayton (rest) is now listed as probable for Monday's game against the Pistons.

Ayton was intially listed as questionable for Monday's contest due to rest purposes, but it appears the big man is on track to play. He's averaged 14.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 blocks over 30.6 minutes per game over his last eight outings.

Ayton is questionable for Monday's game against the Pistons due to rest purposes.

Ayton could sit out for rest purposes Monday, which marks the first game in a stretch of three in four days. If he is unable to suit up, Donovan Clingan figures to see an increased role.

Ayton recorded six points (3-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt), six rebounds and one assist across 21 minutes during Thursday's 114-106 loss to the Lakers.

Ayton had the ideal opportunity to shine against the Lakers, who were without Anthony Davis (ankle) on Thursday. The veteran big man failed to take advantage of Davis missing the game, adding to a mediocre stretch after starting the season with eight double-doubles in the Blazers' first nine games.

Ayton ended with 12 points (6-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 30 minutes during Monday's 125-103 loss to the 76ers.

Ayton had a tough matchup on both ends of the court since he had to deal with Joel Embiid, but at least he posted a solid stat line while showing an efficient touch near the rim. Ayton couldn't extend his double-double streak to three games, but the veteran continues to be a reliable option down low for the Blazers. Since returning from a two-game absence due to an illness on Dec. 19, Ayton is averaging 16.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game over his last six appearances.

Ayton closed Saturday's 126-122 victory over the Mavericks with 21 points (9-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 16 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals across 36 minutes.

Ayton was effective against Dallas' interior as the opponent continued to operate without Dereck Lively's (hip) services. Saturday proved to be a great opportunity to steal a win against a short-handed Mavericks squad , and Ayton had field day with his second-highest scoring total and his best rebounding result of the season.

Ayton racked up 16 points (8-11 FG), nine rebounds and two steals across 26 minutes during Monday's 132-108 loss to Dallas.

Although Ayton failed to exceed the double-double threshold, he's averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds since returning from a two-game absence. Ayton has missed nine games due to a finger injury and an illness, but the Trail Blazers managed a 4-5 record without his contribution. The team will need consistent nights from Ayton as they struggle to stay relevant in the Western Conference.

Ayton had 15 points (7-14 FG, 1-2 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal in 35 minutes during Thursday's 126-124 win over the Nuggets.

Ayton returned after dealing with a non-COVID illness that required a two-game absence. He seemed to be 100 percent, logging 35 minutes while matching his third-highest rebound total of the season. Ayton began the season with a five-game double-double streak, and he could be on his way to build another run now that he is back in action.

Ayton (illness) will play Thursday against the Nuggets.

Ayton has been battling an illness for over a week, but it won't keep him out of Thursday's matchup. He'll presumably return to the starting lineup after gaining clearance to play, which would bump Donovan Clingan back to a bench role.

Ayton (illness) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Nuggets.

Ayton is at risk of missing a third straight game due to an illness. However, the big man was able to participate in Tuesday's practice, which is a positive sign for his availability Thursday. If active, Ayton would likely reclaim the starting center spot from Donovan Clingan.

Ayton (illness) practiced Tuesday, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

After missing two straight games due to an illness, it appears Ayton is trending in the right direction ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Nuggets. The Trail Blazers will release an official injury report Wednesday. If Ayton is cleared, he may face restrictions but is expected to replace rookie Donovan Clingan in the starting lineup.

Ayton (illness) is out for Sunday's game against the Suns, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

Ayton will miss a second straight contest after not suiting up in Friday's loss to the Spurs. Donovan Clingan is not on the injury report for Sunday, so he might get the start at center instead of Jabari Walker. Ayton's next chance to play will come against the Nuggets on Thursday.

Ayton (illness) is out for Friday's game against the Spurs, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Ayton will miss a game for the first time since Nov. 25 due to this illness, and this means the Blazers will be extremely thin when it comes to their frontcourt depth. Ayton and Robert Williams (not injury related) are out, while Donovan Clingan will be on a minutes' restriction, so Jabari Walker will get the start at center. Ayton's next chance to play will come against Phoenix on Sunday.

Ayton (illness) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Spurs.

Ayton is in jeopardy of missing his first matchup since Nov. 25 due to an illness. In his last six outings, the big man has averaged 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks across 32.0 minutes per game. The Trail Blazers could be shorthanded in the frontcourt Friday with Ayton, Donovan Clingan (knee), Robert Williams (concussion) and Duop Reath (back) all landing on the injury report.

Ayton fouled out of Sunday's 107-98 loss to the Lakers after recording 14 points (7-14 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 19 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 35 minutes.

Ayton grabbed a season-high mark in rebounds before fouling out, and the big man seems to be trending in the right direction after missing seven games in a row due to a finger injury. He's averaging 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 62 percent from the floor in his six games since returning to action.

Ayton ended Tuesday's 127-105 loss to the Clippers with 16 points (8-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and one block across 33 minutes.

Ayton was extremely efficient with his touches from the field and missed just two of his shots en route to leading the Trail Blazers in scoring. However, and as has often been the case, his scoring exploits weren't enough, and Portland suffered yet another blowout loss. Ayton has been playing at a high level since returning from a seven-game absence on Nov. 27, as he's averaging 19.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 68 percent from the field in his last four contests.

Ayton racked up 26 points (11-19 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 41 minutes during Friday's 115-106 victory over the Kings.

The veteran center fell just short of his 10th double-double of the season. Ayton's 26 points were a season high, in addition to leading Portland on the night, and he appears fully recovered from the finger sprain that cost him seven games earlier this month.

Ayton (finger) totaled 16 points (7-10 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal across 34 minutes in Wednesday's 121-114 loss to the Pacers.

Ayton stepped back into the starting five Wednesday after he had missed the Trail Blazers' previous seven games with a deep contusion in his right index finger. The Trail Blazers evidently weren't too concerned about Ayton's conditioning coming off the two-plus-week absence, as he handled a relatively standard minutes count and was efficient as a scorer while pacing the team in rebounds. Now that he's healthy again, Ayton should regularly clear 30 minutes in competitive games, especially while the Trail Blazers are shorthanded on frontcourt depth with Robert Williams in concussion protocol and with Donovan Clingan (knee) set to miss multiple weeks with a Grade 2 MCL sprain.

Ayton (finger) is available for Wednesday's game against the Pacers, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Ayton will shake off a questionable tag and return to action following a seven-game absence. With Donovan Clingan (knee) and Robert Williams (concussion) unavailable, Portland will need as many minutes as they can get out of Ayton. Before his absence, Ayton averaged 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks in 29.4 minutes per game across 11 appearances.

Ayton (finger) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pacers.

Ayton has missed seven straight games, but this is the first time he's listed as questionable since he landed on the injury report with a right index finger sprain. Portland needs him back as soon as possible, as Robert Williams landed in concussion protocols Tuesday and rookie Donovan Clingan is set to miss at least two weeks after being diagnosed with a grade 2 MCL sprain. Over his first nine appearances this season, Ayton posted 15.1 points and 11.3 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game.

Ayton (finger) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Grizzlies.

Ayton has been downgraded from doubtful to out and will miss his seventh consecutive game due to a right finger sprain. Robert Williams should see an increased role with Ayton joining Donovan Clingan (knee) on the sideline.

Ayton (finger) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Grizzlies.

Ayton is likely to miss a seventh consecutive game due to a right index finger injury. With Donovan Clingan (knee) already out of the lineup, Robert Williams could be in line for a significant role.

Ayton (finger) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Rockets.

Ayton will miss a sixth consecutive game due to a right sprained finger, and his next chance to play will be Monday against the Grizzlies. Donovan Clingan should continue to serve as the Trail Blazers' starting center Saturday due to Ayton being sidelined.

Ayton (finger) is doubtful for Saturday's game versus the Rockets.

Ayton's absence streak will likely extend to six games Saturday due to a sprained right finger. If Ayton is ultimately ruled out, Donovan Clingan should draw another start.

Ayton (finger) is out for Friday's game against the Rockets.

Ayton continues to deal with a right finger sprain and will miss a fifth straight contest Friday. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to suit up Saturday in the second half of his back-to-back set against the Rockets, but in the meantime, Donovan Clingan will remain as the starting center.

Ayton (finger) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Rockets.

Ayton has missed the Trail Blazers' last four games, and the doubtful tag suggests it's very unlikely that he'll suit up for Friday's contest. If that's the case, then Donovan Clingan will continue to start at center.

Ayton (finger) is out for Wednesday's game against the Thunder.

The out designation isn't entirely surprising for the big man, as the previous doubtful tag suggested he was unlikely to play. Ayton's next chance to play will come against the Rockets on Friday, and his absence will lead to more minutes for players such as Robert Williams and Donovan Clingan.

Ayton (finger) is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Thunder.

Ayton is in danger of missing his fourth consecutive game due to a right finger sprain. The big man is still considered day-to-day while managing the injury, though if he is unable to return Wednesday Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams are both candidates for an uptick in playing time.

Ayton (finger) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Ayton will miss his third consecutive game due to a right finger sprain. The big man underwent imaging on the index finger which revealed a deep contusion of the proximal phalanx, though he will still be considered day-to-day until the team provides an update that says otherwise. Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams are both likely to receive an uptick in playing time with Ayton sidelined. His next chance to play will come Wednesday against the Thunder.

Coach Chauncey Billups said Ayton (finger) is unlikely to play in Sunday's game versus the Hawks, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

Ayton is expected to miss his third straight contest Sunday due to a sprained right finger. If Ayton is ultimately ruled out yet again, Donovan Clingan should continue to start at center.

Ayton (finger) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Minnesota.

A right finger sprain will cost Ayton his second consecutive contest, but he will now have until Sunday against Atlanta for his next opportunity to take the court. Donovan Clingan will headline Portland's center position against a healthy and skilled Minnesota frontcourt.

Ayton (finger) has been ruled out for Tuesday's matchup against the Timberwolves, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.

Ayton was a late addition to the injury report due to a sprained right index finger, and he has officially been ruled out for the first leg of a back-to-back set. The big man will be replaced in the starting five by Donovan Clingan, who will make his first career start.

Ayton is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves due to a right index finger sprain.

While the extent of the injury remains unclear, Ayton was a late addition to the injury report, which isn't a good sign for his availability Tuesday night. If Ayton is sidelined, rookie Donovan Clingan may draw his first start, while Robert Williams, who recently made his season debut, could be in store for extra minutes. Duop Reath could also enter Portland's rotation.

Ayton ended Thursday's 118-105 loss to the Spurs with 21 points (10-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 10 rebounds, two steals and one block over 31 minutes.

Despite the loss, the big man put up monster numbers while tying Jerami Grant for the game high in points. Ayton has posted a double-double in all but one game thus far, and he is also shooting an efficient 52.5 percent from the field. The 26-year-old center has averaged 15.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks across 31.4 minutes per game through nine regular-season outings.

Ayton amassed 19 points (9-14 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 13 rebounds and a steal in Monday's 118-100 victory over New Orleans.

Ayton has now put up a double-double in all but one game this season and averages 14.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks across 31.6 minutes. While these numbers are impressive, the biggest surprise about Ayton's offensive output is his efficiency: although he is shooting 50.5 percent from the field, he averages a scorching 44.4 percent from three.

Ayton amassed 10 points (3-13 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 13 rebounds and two assists over 30 minutes during Saturday's 103-97 loss to Phoenix.

Ayton was one of several starters who struggled from the field in this game, but the big man continues to deliver enough of a two-way impact to overlook his shooting woes -- at least for now. Ayton has posted six double-doubles in his seven contests, but he's shooting just 48.4 percent from the field, a low mark for a player who earns most of his points near the rim.

Ayton had 15 points (7-15 FG, 1-3 3Pt), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 34 minutes during Wednesday's 106-105 win over the Clippers.

Ayton has logged five consecutive double-doubles to begin the season, and is well on his way to exceed his 32 double-doubles from last season. That number would have been higher, but Injuries limited Ayton's production and held him to only 55 games. If he can stay healthy, Ayton could finish as one of the most productive centers in the Western Conference, but he needs to stay off the injury report to achieve that goal.

Ayton notched 20 points (10-17 FG), 11 rebounds and one assist over 34 minutes during Monday's 111-98 loss to the Kings.

Ayton led the Blazers with an efficient team high of 20 points in the low-scoring loss. The big man also secured his fourth double-double in as many regular-season games played this year. The 26-year-old is averaging 14.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 combined steals plus blocks across 32.3 minutes per game.

Ayton produced 17 points (7-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds and one block in 31 minutes during Sunday's 125-103 victory over the Pelicans.

Ayton has logged a double-double in all three games to start the 2024-25 regular season. He led the Trail Blazers with 12 rebounds Friday, six of which came on the offensive end of the floor. Through the first three games of the regular season, Ayton is averaging 12.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 31.7 minutes per game.

Ayton amassed 10 points (5-14 FG, 0-1 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 33 minutes during Friday's 105-103 loss to the Pelicans.

The 26-year-old center has posted double-doubles in the first two games of the season, although he scored only 10 points in each. Ayton has averaged a double-double every year of his career, but he's never developed a three-point shot and rarely gets to the free-throw line, limiting his value both in the modern NBA and in most fantasy formats.

Ayton had 10 points (5-12 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals over 31 minutes during Wednesday's 139-104 loss to the Warriors.

Ayton wasn't able to replicate his former success with the Suns last season, but he's playing with an inferior roster and has to make the best of a bad situation. If the team can stay healthy, the Trail Blazers' fortunes will be a little brighter, and better stat lines for Ayton would follow. Centers are always in high demand in fantasy leagues, so Ayton will still be a valuable target to consider despite his less-than-ideal circumstances.

Ayton is in the starting lineup for Wednesday season opener versus Golden State, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Ayton gets the starting nod over rookie Donovan Clingan, and it'll be interesting to monitor each player's initial workload. Ayton is joined by Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant in Portland's starting frontcourt to begin the season.

Ayton (rest) will play in Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Warriors, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

As expected, Ayton will play in the opener after resting during the preseason finale. He made 55 appearances during his first season in Portland last year, averaging 16.7 points and 11.1 rebounds in 32.4 minutes per game.

Ayton (rest) won't play in Friday's preseason finale against the Jazz, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com

The Blazers will give Ayton some much-needed rest with the start of the regular season only in a few days. Rookie sensation Donovan Clingan will get the nod at center and will pair with Jerami Grant in the frontcourt.

Ayton (rest) won't play in Friday's preseason finale against the Jazz, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

The Blazers will give Ayton some much-needed rest with the start of the regular season only in a few days. Rookie sensation Donovan Clingan will get the nod at center and will pair with Jerami Grant in the frontcourt.

Ayton had 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt), eight rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block across 18 minutes in Wednesday's 111-100 preseason win over Ratiopharm Ulm.

Ayton was the only starter who didn't reach the 20-minute plateau in this one, but that's understandable since his role as the Trail Blazers' starting center is all but locked in. The big man should be one of Portland's top weapons on both ends of the court once the regular season begins against the Warriors on Oct. 23.

Ayton posted 19 points (8-12 FG, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and one steal across 38 minutes in the Bahamas' 96-85 win over Finland Tuesday.

Ayton missed the final game of the NBA regular-season due to a back injury, but he will likely be back in time for the start of the 2024-25 season. The 25-year-old appeared in only 55 games the entirety of last season due to a litany of injuries. These included knee and elbow tendinitis, a hand sprain and the aforementioned back injury. However, his play for the Bahamas bodes well for his healthy return to training camp and beyond.

Ayton (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against Sacramento.

Ayton will finish his sixth campaign with a career-low 55 appearances. The 25-year-old averaged 16.7 points and 11.1 rebounds in 32.4 minutes per contest when available, but attempting just 1.4 free-throw attempts per game and continuing to have a limited defensive impact loom over Ayton moving forward.

Ayton (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Kings.

Ayton left Friday's game against the Rockets due to low back soreness, and it remains to be seen whether the big man will be available for the season finale. However, it wouldn't be surprising if the Blazers elect to hold him out, as Portland has nothing to play for Sunday. Ayton heads into the regular-season finale with averages of 16.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game across 55 starts.

Ayton won't return to Friday's game against the Rockets due to low back soreness. He registered six points (3-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 23 minutes before exiting.

The Blazers will likely turn to Duop Reath and Moses Brown at center with Ayton set to miss the rest of the second half. It's unclear at this time whether Ayton will be available for the regular-season finale Sunday in Sacramento.

Ayton registered 25 points (12-24 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals over 34 minutes during Thursday's 100-92 loss to the Warriors.

The short-handed Trail Blazers kept things interesting thanks to a solid outing from Ayton and Jabari Walker, who combined for 27 rebounds in the loss. Scoot Henderson should join Ayton and Walker as the top producers with two games remaining. There seems to be little need for Portland to push out the myriad of injured players on the roster. Ayton battled injuries throughout the season, averaging 16.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists through just 54 games.

Ayton posted 34 points (13-25 FG, 8-9 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks over 40 minutes in Friday's 108-102 win over Washington.

Ayton led all players in Friday's contest in scoring and shots made while hauling in a team-high-tying rebound total to go along with a team-best pair of blocks in a double-double showcase. Ayton set a new season high in scoring in the victory, posting his fourth game with 30 or more points. All four of Ayton's 30-point outings have occurred over his last 11 contests, adding 13 or more boards in each of those contests.

Ayton ended with 24 points (12-22 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 16 rebounds and two assists across 37 minutes during Wednesday's 89-86 victory over the Hornets.

The 25-year-old center delivered his 28th double-double of the season, including his seventh in his last 10 games -- although Ayton also missed nine games in March due to hand and elbow injuries. When he's been healthy he's been productive though, and during those 10 contests he's averaged 23.1 points, 13.3 boards and 1.3 assists while shooting 60.0 percent from the floor.

Ayton notched 20 points (10-18 FG), 12 rebounds and three assists across 36 minutes during Monday's 104-103 loss to Orlando.

Ayton has been limited by a few minor injuries over the last few weeks, but he's been ready to contribute every time he's been called upon duty. The big man recorded his seventh double-double across his last 10 appearances, a span in which he's averaging 21.9 points and 12.7 rebounds per game while shooting 61.1 percent from the field. Ayton should remain a key part of Portland's future next season and beyond, and he should a stud in fantasy providing he stays healthy.

Ayton (elbow) tallied 18 points (9-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt), eight rebounds, one assist and one steal across 25 minutes in Friday's 142-82 loss to the Heat.

Though the Trail Blazers were a minus-32 with Ayton on the court in his return from a four-game absence due to left elbow tendinitis, the veteran center at least managed to produce respectably enough for fantasy managers on a per-minute basis. Given Portland's status as a non-contender, Ayton could be at risk of further absences over the final two weeks of the regular season, whether due to the elbow issue or another minor injury.

Ayton (elbow) is available for Friday's game against Miami, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Ayton missed the last four games due to left elbow tendinitis but will be able to return to action Friday. Although he'll replace Duop Reath in the starting lineup, it's unclear whether Ayton will have any limitations against the Heat.

Ayton (elbow) is questionable for Friday's game versus the Hawks.

Ayton is in danger of missing his fifth straight contest Friday due to left elbow tendinitis. If Ayton is ruled out, Duop Reath will likely draw another start at center.

Ayton (elbow) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Hawks, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.

Ayton's absence streak will extend to four games Wednesday after being downgraded from questionable to out due to left elbow tendinitis. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Miami.

Ayton (elbow) is considered questionable to play in Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

Ayton is at risk of missing a fourth consecutive contest due to left elbow tendinitis. Meanwhile, Jerami Grant (hamstring) is doubtful while Anfernee Simons (knee) has been ruled out Wednesday for a shorthanded Portland squad. Duop Reath will likely continue starting if Ayton is unavailable Wednesday.

Ayton (elbow) will not play in Monday's game versus Houston.

Ayton will be sidelined alongside Jerami Grant (hamstring), while Kris Murray, Toumani Camara and Duop Reath start in the frontcourt Monday. Ayton's next chance to take the court comes Wednesday versus Atlanta.

Ayton (elbow) is questionable for Monday's game against the Rockets.

Ayton was handed a doubtful tag leading up to Saturday's matchup, so he appears to be moving in the right direction. The Blazers will likely give him another look Monday morning to get a better idea of his availability in Houston.

Ayton (elbow) is out for Saturday's game against the Nuggets, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

The Trail Blazers will start five rookies against the reigning NBA champions, meaning Ayton will remain on the sidelines for another game. This will be Ayton's second consecutive absence, and his seventh missed game (out of a possible 14) since the beginning of March. Ayton's next chance to play will come against the Rockets on Monday.

The Trail Blazers have listed Ayton (elbow) as doubtful for Saturday's game versus the Nuggets,

Ayton was a late addition to Portland's injury report Friday, and he is now trending towards missing his second straight game due to left elbow tendinitis. Should that ultimately be the case, the big man's next chance to suit up would be Monday in Houston. Duop Reath will presumably draw another start at center if Ayton does not get the green light.

Ayton (elbow) won't play Friday night against the Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Ayton will be held out of Friday's contest after being added to the injury report just a few hours before tipoff. Duop Reath is expected to start at center in Ayton's place.

Ayton is questionable for Friday's game against the Clippers due to left elbow tendinitis.

Ayton is a late addition to the injury report, which is never a good sign. The 25-year-old center has been on a tear since returning from a hand sprain, as he's averaged 24.1 points, 13.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks over his last seven appearances. However, if Ayton is sidelined again, Duop Reath would likely be the primary beneficiary.

Ayton logged 25 points (11-17 FG, 3-4 FT), 15 rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 37 minutes during Monday's 110-107 loss to the Bulls.

The 25-year-old center has been on a mission since returning from a hand sprain. Ayton has ripped down at least 14 boards in five of six games since rejoining the lineup and scored at least 20 points in all six, averaging 26.8 points, 15.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 63.5 percent from the floor.

Ayton closed with 31 points (12-21 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 14 rebounds and one block across 40 minutes during Thursday's 105-93 loss to the Knicks.

Ayton was dominant down low and made his presence felt on both ends of the court, but his contributions were not enough to lift Portland to victory here. Ayton has been on an absolute tear lately, and aside from recording seven straight double-doubles -- which have come despite a five-game absence in between -- he's also averaging 29.0 points and 16.8 rebounds per game since the beginning of March.

Ayton had 33 points (15-20 FG, 3-4 FT), 19 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 40 minutes during Wednesday's 106-102 victory over the Hawks.

Anfernee Simons led the way for the Trail Blazers in the scoring column, but Ayton was massive on both ends of the court and delivered his best performance of the campaign. The 33 points were a season-high mark for him, and it was also the fourth time he grabbed 19 or more boards -- with two of those coming during the current month. Ayton is averaging 21.4 points and 13.8 rebounds across his last 10 appearances.

Ayton recorded 22 points (11-19 FG), 15 rebounds and one assist over 33 minutes during Monday's 121-99 loss to the Celtics.

It was Ayton's 23rd double-double of the season, but it didn't come with much of a contribution in other fantasy categories. The 25-year-old center has a five-game double-double streak going, although he missed five contests in the middle of it due to a hand sprain, and over 10 games since the beginning of February he's averaging 18.9 points, 12.2 boards, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 61.6 percent from the floor.

Ayton recorded 30 points (14-25 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 19 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 40 minutes during Saturday's 128-118 overtime victory over Toronto.

Ayton proved to be the remedy to stop Portland's three-game skid although the Trail Blazers managed to g 2-3 without him thanks to a two-game tilt against Memphis. Ayton has been out for three extended periods totaling 22 games, and although multliple injuries have contributed to Portland's lost season, the team's fortunes would have been brighter with a healthy frontcourt. Ayton's return will move Duop Reath back to the bench and outside the realm of fantasy viability.

Ayton (hand) will start Saturday's game against Toronto, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

No surprise here, as Ayton was previously considered probable. He missed the past five games for Portland, but there's no word of any restrictions. Duop Reath will likely move to the bench with Ayton back in the mix.

Ayton (hand) is listed as probable for Saturday's game versus the Raptors.

Ayton is expected to return to action Saturday after missing Portland's last five contests with a right hand sprain. If the 25-year-old center is upgraded to available, he will likely reclaim his starting spot from Duop Reath.

Ayton (hand) has been ruled out for Friday's matchup with the Rockets, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

No surprise here, as Ayton was deemed doubtful heading into the evening. His absence will mark his fifth straight game missed. In his absence, Duop Reath figures to remain in the starting lineup. Ayton's next chance to suit up will come Saturday versus the Raptors.

Ayton (hand) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Rockets.

It appears that Ayton will likely miss his fifth straight game Friday, and that happens to be the front end of a back-to-back set. Duop Reath has been a popular pickup in fantasy formats and will likely continue to benefit in the meantime.

Ayton (hand) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Thunder, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

While Ayton is reportedly making progress, he's still feeling too much pain in his hand/wrist to be able to take the floor. He'll miss his fourth straight game Wednesday, and with Portland's next two games coming as a Friday-Saturday, back-to-back set, he should be considered closer to doubtful than questionable for Friday's game. Duop Reath should get another start and makes for an excellent target in all leagues.

Ayton (hand) is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game versus the Thunder.

Ayton is expected to miss his fourth straight contest Wednesday due to a right hand sprain. If Ayton is ruled out, Duop Reath will likely draw another start.

Ayton (hand) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Timberwolves.

Ayton, Matisse Thybulle (hip), Toumani Camara (illness) and Jerami Grant (quad) have all been downgraded to out, so Portland will rely on a bevy of depth options. Duop Reath should continue to be the primary beneficiary of Ayton's absence, while the latter's next chance to suit up will come Wednesday versus the Thunder.

Ayton (hand) is questionable for Monday's game against the Timberwolves.

Ayton is in danger of missing a third straight game, but he was listed as doubtful ahead of the last two matchups, so his questionable tag suggests he's making at least slight progress in his rehab. Regardless, if Ayton is ruled out again, Duop Reath would likely draw another start.

Ayton (hand) has been ruled out to face the Grizzlies on Saturday.

Ayton was initially listed as doubtful, but he won't be suiting up to face Memphis in a battle of two injury-riddled teams that won't be making the playoffs and are already thinking about next season. Ayton's next chance to play will come against the Timberwolves on Monday.

Ayton (hand) is considered doubtful for Saturday's game versus the Grizzlies.

Ayton sprained his hand in Tuesday's game versus the Heat and subsequently missed Friday's matchup with Memphis. He appears to be trending towards another absence in Saturday's rematch with the Grizzlies, but final confirmation on his status is unlikely to come until closer to tipoff. In his absence, Duop Reath figures to again see increased playing time.

Ayton (hand) has been ruled out for Friday's game versus the Grizzlies.

Ayton has been downgraded from doubtful to out Friday due to a right hand sprain, as expected. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Saturday's rematch with the Grizzlies.

Ayton (hand) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game versus the Grizzlies.

Ayton is expected to miss Friday's contest due to a right hand sprain he suffered against Miami. Duop Reath will likely receive increased playing time if Ayton is ruled out.

Ayton has been diagnosed with a right-hand sprain and he will be considered day-to-day moving forward, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

The day-to-day tag can be considered a positive update, although with Portland's next two games coming as a Friday-Saturday, back-to-back set, it wouldn't be shocking to see him miss at least one game. If he is forced to the sidelines, Duop Reath or Jabari Walker would have an opportunity to start, and both those guys would be in play as potential targets in daily fantasy leagues.

Ayton (hand) is out for the remainder of Tuesday's game versus the Heat. He will end the game with 12 points (6-9 FG), 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in 19 minutes

Ayton had a dominant first half, posting a double-double before exiting due to a hand he suffered after a hard fall following a Kevin Love charge. Duop Reath will likely receive increased minutes in his absence. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Memphis.

Ayton is questionable to return to Tuesday's game versus the Heat due to a right hand sprain.

Ayton began the second half in the locker room, with Duop Reath starting in his absence. Ayton likely suffered his injury after falling hard on his hand following a charge attempt by Kevin Love. While the 25-year-old big man returned to action shortly after, it appears that he is still dealing with the pain.

Ayton posted 26 points (11-16 FG, 4-4 FT), 19 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 37 minutes during Sunday's 93-80 loss to the Hornets.

The Trail Blazers struggled badly in this game and only accounted for 80 total points, but Ayton was impressive down low and carried the team, scoring nearly 33.3 percent of the team's total points and also grabbing his second-highest rebounding tally of the season. There's no question the team's struggles play a part in a player's upside, but Ayton has been posting solid numbers when available this season. He's averaging 14.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per contest, averaging a double-double for a sixth consecutive campaign.

Ayton finished with 22 points (11-17 FG), 10 rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes during Friday's 127-112 loss to the Nuggets.

Ayton led all Portland players in rebounds while handing out a trio of assists and ending as one of three players with 20 or more points in another double-double performance. Ayton has recorded at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in eight games this season, including in two of his last three contests.

Ayton fouled out of Thursday's 128-91 loss to the Timberwolves after recording two points (1-5 FG), four rebounds, three assists, one block and three steals over 20 minutes.

Portland gave up on Ayton early as he failed to gain traction opposite Rudy Gobert. He finished with only 20 minutes of court time, which was his lowest minute total of the season. Duop Reath and Ibou Badji took over, but Ayton's job is safe despite Thursday's result.

Ayton supplied 18 points (9-18 FG), 17 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals across 37 minutes during Saturday's 93-84 loss to New Orleans.

Ayton propped the team up amid the litany of backcourt absences as he joined Jerami Grant in an admirable effort to stay competitive. Ayton's defensive contribution was significant, and he was critical in containing New Orleans' balanced offensive attack. His 17 rebounds marked his second-best total of the season and extended his double-double streak to 12 games.

Ayton (illness) will play in Saturday's game against the Pelicans, Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian reports.

Ayton was unable to play Thursday against Detroit, so Jabari Walker drew the start at center and put up 17 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks in 43 minutes. Although Walker could return to the bench, he'll likely maintain a large role for the shorthanded Trail Blazers.

Ayton (illness) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Pelicans.

Ayton was unable to play Thursday against Detroit, and Duop Reath (knee) was sidelined as well. Jabari Walker started at center and ended up playing 43 minutes with 17 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks.

Ayton (illness) will not play against Detroit on Thursday, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Ayton will be considered day-to-day going forward. If Duop Reath (knee) is given the green light, he's expected to start at center for Portland.

Ayton is questionable for Thursday's game against the Pistons due to an illness.

If Ayton is unable to give it a go, then Duop Reath would get an opportunity to start and he'd make for an intriguing streamer. Ayton managers can expect to get another update following Thursday's shootaround.

Ayton ended Sunday's 112-103 loss to the Nuggets with 27 points (13-19 FG, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal over 39 minutes.

Ayton was held to eight points (3-6 FG) during Friday's loss to Denver, but he struck back with a vengeance Sunday, recording his seventh game of 20-plus points through 34 appearances this season. The 25-year-old is averaging 19.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 63.3 percent from the field in 34.9 minutes across his past seven games.

Ayton provided 20 points (10-17 FG), 11 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 35 minutes during Wednesday's 119-116 victory over Milwaukee.

Ayton had a productive night against the Bucks. Although both teams ended up with 39 rebounds each, Brook Lopez was out-rebounded 11-4 by Ayton, who has recorded a double-double in four of his last five games.

Ayton chipped in 22 points (9-12 FG, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block across 37 minutes during Sunday's 104-96 loss to the Bulls.

Ayton recorded his third straight double-double, and he seems to have shaken off the rust completely after missing 12 consecutive games between Dec. 26 and Jan. 17 due to a nagging knee problem. Ayton will try to keep this streak going when the Blazers take on the 76ers on Monday, though a tough matchup against Joel Embiid (knee) might be waiting for him if the reigning MVP ends up being available for this matchup.

Ayton closed Friday's 116-100 loss to San Antonio with 20 points (10-17 FG), 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 34 minutes.

Ayton led all Portland players in rebounds to go along with a pair of assists and steals and ending as one of two players with 20 or more points in a double-double performance. Ayton has tallied at least 20 point sin four games this season, posting a double-double in two straight contests.

Ayton racked up 18 points (8-13 FG, 2-2 FT), 17 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 41 minutes during Wednesday's 137-131 overtime victory over the Rockets.

Ayton recorded his 13th double-double in Wednesday's win, and it was the first time he reached that mark since Dec. 21 against the Wizards. He's played four games since returning from a 12-game absence due to left knee tendinitis, and his 41 minutes played was his most of the season. Over that span, Ayton has averaged 10.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks over 30.0 minutes per game.

Ayton closed Tuesday's 111-109 loss to the Thunder with five points (2-7 FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds and two assists over 27 minutes.

This was Ayton's second dud in a row as he was again held to single-digit points. He has looked a step slow since returning from his knee injury, posting averages of 7.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.7 blocks over his last three games. Meanwhile, Duop Reath continues to find a lot of success off the bench.

Ayton (knee) recorded 12 points (6-15 FG), eight rebounds, two blocks and one assist across 30 minutes in Friday's 118-115 win over the Pacers.

Ayton was back in action for the first time since Dec. 23 after an extended absence due to left knee tendinitis. He immediately reclaimed his spot in the starting five from Duop Reath and didn't seem to be under a heavy minutes restriction in the Trail Blazers' narrow win. Ayton's efficiency left something to be desired, but his solid rebounds and blocks total helped salvage his night. The 25-year-old should continue to approach 30 minutes in competitive contests now that he's healthy again, but the 12-29 Trail Blazers' propensity for getting blown out means that Ayton's playing time could often be volatile.

Ayton (knee) will start at center in Friday's matchup with the Pacers, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Ayton will presumably replace Duop Reath in the starting lineup. The big man is returning from a 12 game absence, so Portland could opt to exercise caution with his workload.

Ayton (knee) is probable for Friday's game against the Pacers, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Ayton was cleared to return from his knee injury Wednesday against the Nets, but he was unable to make it to the stadium due to poor weather conditions. Assuming he gets the green light to return, Ayton will likely replace Duop Reath in the starting lineup after missing the past 12 games for Portland.

Ayton won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Nets, as he was unable to make it to the stadium due to ice and poor weather conditions that prohibited him from traveling, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Ayton was set to return to action Wednesday after missing the last 11 games with a right knee issue. However, his inability to travel to the stadium will likely mean that Duop Reath will remain in the starting lineup. Ayton should be available for Friday's game versus Indiana.

Ayton (knee) is available for Wednesday's game versus the Nets, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Ayton will return to action Wednesday after missing the previous 11 games with right knee tendinitis. The 25-year-old big man will likely reclaim his starting spot from Dup Reath. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see Ayton on a minutes restriction.

Ayton (knee) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Nets.

The probable tag comes as no surprise, as Ayton was able to practice Tuesday. Coach Chauncey Billups also expressed optimism that Ayton would be back in the lineup. With Ayton on track to return from an 11-game absence, Duop Reath will likely move back to the bench where his fantasy value could trend down.

Ayton (knee) was active at practice Tuesday, with coach Chauncey Billups expressing optimism that Ayton will play Wednesday against Brooklyn, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Ayton continues to battle right knee tendonitis, but he appears to be on the mend. The 25-year-old returning to action would signal a sizable drop in workload for Duop Reath, but Ayton's return is not yet set in stone.

Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Suns, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton continues to deal with right knee tendinitis and will be unavailable for an 11th consecutive game. Duop Reath and Ibou Badji (hip) should continue to see increased roles Sunday. Coach Chauncey Billups said before Sunday's matchup that Ayton is "very close" to returning, and the center's next chance to suit up will be Wednesday against the Nets.

Ayton (knee) is questionable to play Sunday against the Suns.

Ayton has missed the Trail Blazers' last 10 games with a nagging knee injury, and while the questionable tag gives some hope regarding his return, a decision will likely be made closer to tip-off. Duop Reath and Ibou Badji (hip) should continue to see increased roles until Ayton is cleared to suit up.

Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Minnesota, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

As expected, Ayton has been downgraded from doubtful to out and will miss a 10th straight game. Coach Chauncey Billups expressed optimism that Ayton would return Friday before the center was listed as doubtful again, so despite being out, it appears Ayton is nearing a return. His next chance to suit up will come Sunday versus his former team, the Suns.

Ayton (knee) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Timberwolves.

Despite optimism about his availability, Ayton will likely miss a 10th straight game due to right knee tendinitis. Doup Reath and Ibou Badji should continue to see increased roles until Ayton is cleared to suit up.

Ayton (knee) could return Friday against the Timberwolves, Aaron Fentress of OregonLive.com reports.

Ayton has missed the last nine matchups due to right knee tendinitis, but coach Chauncey Billups hopes the center will be back in action against Minnesota. It's unclear whether Ayton would have any limitations if he's given the green light Friday, but his presence would certainly provide a boost to a team that has struggled in his absence, most recently suffering a 139-77 loss at the hands of the Thunder. If Ayton can return, Duop Reath and Ibou Badji would likely see their roles decline.

Ayton (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Thunder.

The star big man is one of three players that won't feature Thursday, and the team will be shorthanded in the frontcourt with his absence. His next chance to play will come Friday against the Timberwolves.

Ayton (knee) is doubtful for Thursday's game against the Thunder.

Ayton continues to deal with right knee tendinitis and will likely be forced to miss a ninth consecutive game. It's not yet clear whether Jabari Walker (knee) will be able to suit up, but Duop Reath and Ibou Badji will likely see additional playing time against Oklahoma City.

Ayton (knee) won't play in Tuesday's game versus the Knicks, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Ayton's absence streak will extend to eight games Tuesday after being downgraded from doubtful to out with right knee tendinitis. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Thursday's matchup with the Thunder.

Ayton (knee) is doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Knicks.

Ayton will likely miss an eighth straight game due to right knee tendinitis. This doesn't come as a surprise, as coach Chauncey Billups said Sunday that Ayton doesn't have a return timetable, but the team is hopeful he can join them at some point during their upcoming road trip, which ends Friday in Minnesota. In Ayton's absence, Duop Reath should continue to draw starts at center, especially with Moses Brown sidelined indefinitely following surgery.

Ayton (knee) has no timetable for return, but coach Chauncey Billups expressed optimism Sunday that the 25-year-old could join the team on the upcoming road trip, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Portland's upcoming four game road trip features a showdown against the Knicks on Tuesday followed by a back-to-back Thursday and Friday against Oklahoma City and Minnesota. Ayton's ongoing battle with right knee tendonitis is set to sidelined him for 10 of Portland's last 16 contests, as he will miss his seventh consecutive contest Sunday against Brooklyn. The language surrounding his injury doesn't preclude a return in the short-term, but management of Ayton's knee will likely be a season-long trend.

Ayton (knee) won't play in Sunday's game versus the Nets.

Ayton will miss his seventh straight game Sunday due to right knee tendinitis. With Moses Brown (foot) also out, Duop Reath and Ibou Badji should continue to receive increased minutes. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Tuesday's matchup with the Knicks.

Ayton (knee) is out for Friday's game versus the Mavericks.

Ayton's absence streak will extend to six games Friday due to right knee tendinitis. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Brooklyn.

Ayton (knee) is out for Wednesday's game against Dallas, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Ayton's absence is the expected outcome after it was announced Monday that he would not be traveling with the team. His next chance to return is a rematch in Dallas on Friday.

Ayton (knee) didn't travel with the team for Wednesday's game against Dallas, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

The Suns have yet to officially rule Ayton out for Wednesday's clash, but this is a pretty good indication that the big man will miss at least one more contest. Per Rankin, Ayton stayed in Phoenix to receive "rigorous treatment" as he attempts to return to play as soon as possible.

Ayton (knee) will not play in Monday's game against the Suns.

Ayton will be sidelined for his fourth straight game and will miss the opportunity to face his former team. The Trail Blazers are simply listing Ayton as out well in advance of games, so that doesn't bode well for his status. He should be considered questionable at best for Wednesday against Dallas. With Duop Reath (back) considered doubtful, Jabari Walker could get another extended look after erupting for 25 points in 30 minutes of Friday's win versus the Spurs.

Ayton (knee) won't play in Friday's game versus the Spurs.

Ayton's absence streak will extend to three games Friday due to right knee tendinitis. With Duop Reath (back) also out, Moses Brown should continue to receive extended minutes. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Phoenix.

Ayton (knee) won't play in Thursday's game against the Spurs.

Ayton will miss a second straight tilt with a right knee injury. However, with Thursday's tilt being the opener in a back-to-back set, he may be set up for a Friday return. Regardless, Duop Reath and Moses Brown should see expanded workloads Thursday.

Ayton (knee) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Kings, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.

This isn't the first time Ayton has dealt with an issue to his right knee, as he missed three games earlier in December with soreness. For now, he should be considered questionable for Thursday's game against the Spurs. With Ayton sidelined, Portland will give Moses Brown his first start of the season. Presumably, Duop Reath will handle the backup center minutes.

Ayton is questionable to play Tuesday against Sacramento due to right knee tendonitis.

Ayton had a three-game absence due to right knee soreness from Dec.6-Dec.11., which makes his status murky for Tuesday. Ayton has boomed on huge volume despite shooting just 43.1 percent from the field over his last three games, averaging 17.3 points and 12.3 rebounds on 17.0 shots over that span. If he's unable to suit up Tuesday, the precedent has been for Duop Reath to step into the starting lineup.

Ayton posted 23 points (10-21 FG, 3-4 FT), 16 rebounds, two assists and one block over 35 minutes during Thursday's 118-117 loss to the Wizards.

It's the second straight double-double for Ayton, who has 12 in 23 games on the year. The 25-year-old center has had a tough first season in Portland, averaging a career-low 13.1 points a game as he struggles to get shots in an offense dominated by its young backcourt, but Ayton's 11.0 boards a game is his best showing on the glass since 2019-20.

Ayton racked up 16 points (6-18 FG, 4-4 FT), 15 rebounds and three assists across 40 minutes during Tuesday's 109-104 win over the Suns.

The Suns gave Ayton 40 minutes to give it to his former team. His usage has steadily trended up since his return from a four-game absence, and his contribution obviously helped the Trail Blazers, who ended a seven-game skid. Ayton's usage should remain high now that he is completely healthy. The Trail Blazers were forced to play small-ball without him, and they've gone 1-3 without him in the lineup.

Ayton posted eight points (4-8 FG), eight rebounds, one assist and one block across 33 minutes during Sunday's 118-114 loss to the Warriors.

Ayton grabbed eight rebounds but didn't see enough shot volume to make a difference in the scoring column during Sunday's loss. The total marks the second consecutive game where he's failed to score in double-digits, which has only occurred four times this season prior to the recent downturn.

Ayton (knee) is available to face the Jazz on Thursday.

Ayton will return and is likely to start after a three-game absence, meaning Duop Reath will move back to the second unit. Ayton should anchor the middle of the paint and will be a contributor on both ends of the court. Ayton is averaging 12.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game this season.

Ayton (knee) is expected to play Thursday versus the Jazz, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Coach Chauncey Billups is anticipating to have Ayton back in the starting lineup, but he wants to see him get through warmups first. With Ayton expected back after a three-game absence, Duop Reath will likely move back to the second unit for Portland.

Ayton (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Jazz.

Ayton has missed three straight contests with right knee soreness and is at risk of missing a fourth straight tilt. If he can't go Thursday, expect Duop Reath to remain in the first unit.

Ayton (knee) will not play Monday against the Clippers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Ayton joins Jerami Grant (concussion) and Malcolm Brogdon (knee) as inactive for the shorthanded Trail Blazers on Monday. Duop Reath and Ibou Badji will be Ayton's direct replacements at center, while Kris Murray and Jabari Walker could see 20-minute roles in the frontcourt as well.

Ayton (knee) is considered day-to-day ahead of Monday's matchup with the Clippers, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Jerami Grant (concussion) won't travel with the team to Los Angeles, but Ayton and Malcolm Brogdon (knee) will have a chance to suit up. Ayton's official status should be released Sunday night.

Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Dallas, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.

Ayton was carrying a doubtful tag prior to this update, so it's not a surprise to see him miss his second straight contest. Duop Reath started in Ayton's absence Wednesday against the Warriors and produced 10 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in 22 minutes. Ayton's next chance to play is Monday against the Clippers.

Ayton (knee) is doubtful for Friday's game against Dallas.

Ayton was unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Warriors due to a sore right knee, and he'll likely sit out once again Friday. Assuming he's sidelined, Duop Reath and Kris Murray should see increased run again.

Ayton (knee) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Warriors, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Ayton was handed a doubtful tag, so his absence isn't quite surprising. Duop Reath will start in his place, while Ayton's next chance to play will come Friday against Dallas.

Ayton is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's matchup with the Warriors due to right knee soreness.

Ayton's knee injury will likely cause him to miss just his second game of the season Wednesday. If the 25-year-old center is ruled out, Jabari Walker, Duop Reath and Rayan Rupert are candidates to receive increased minutes.

Ayton ended Sunday's 108-102 loss to the Bucks with 14 points (5-6 FG, 4-6 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 32 minutes.

Ayton returned to the court Sunday after missing time with a back injury, leading all Portland players in rebounds and blocks en route to a double-double performance. Ayton has recorded a double-double in eight games this season, including in two of his last four outings. He has tallied 10 or more boards on 10 occurrences this year.

Ayton (back) is active for Monday's game against Milwaukee.

Ayton is dealing with lower back soreness, which forced him to miss his first game of the season Wednesday against Utah. Duop Reath started in his stead, but he'll likely return to a bench role with Ayton available.

Ayton (back) is probable against the Bucks on Sunday.

Ayton has been able to practice since sitting out Wednesday's contest against the Jazz, and previous reports have indicated that he's expected to play Sunday. In his most recent game against the Suns on Tuesday, Ayton scored 18 points with eight rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal.

Ayton (back) participated in practice Friday and expects to play Sunday versus the Bucks, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Ayton has not officially been cleared for Sunday's contest, but he appears to be trending in that direction. The big man was a late scratch in Wednesday's game versus the Jazz due to back soreness. More clarity should come when Portland releases its injury report for the contest.

Ayton is out for Wednesday's game versus the Jazz due to back soreness, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Ayton wasn't carrying an injury designation until being ruled out shortly before tipoff Wednesday. Duop Reath will enter the starting lineup in his absence. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Milwaukee.

Ayton amassed 18 points (9-14 FG), eight rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 120-107 loss to the Suns.

Ayton received unwarranted boos every time he touched the ball Tuesday evening. Although the machinations of the front office are to blame for his departure, a chilly reception was expected for Ayton's return to the Footprint Center. Ayton finished with an adequate total, although he was slightly outplayed in the paint by Jusuf Nurkic. The center isn't receiving as many scoring opportunities with is new team, as his current average of 12.6 points per game is on pace for a career low.

Ayton logged 17 points (8-14 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 38 minutes during Friday's 107-95 loss to the Lakers.

Ayton had arguably his worst game of the season Wednesday against Cleveland, tallying just six points and six boards over 26 minutes. He was much more effective Friday, finishing with his seventh double-double of the campaign. Ayton's scoring has been way down in his first year with the Blazers, as his current average of 12.3 points per game is on pace for a career-low mark. Still, he's putting up his usual strong numbers on the boards with 11.5 rebounds per contest and is also averaging 1.5 thefts per game, well above his career norm.

Ayton registered six points (3-10 FG) and six rebounds in 26 minutes during Wednesday's 109-95 loss to Cleveland.

Ayton ran into the imposing Cavaliers frontcourt of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, resulting in his worst performance of the campaign. The game was relatively close throughout, and Ayton finished with just three fouls. Coach Chauncy Billups felt more comfortable with Duop Reath for much of the game -- a floor-spacing option at center. The situation is worth monitoring lightly, though it was the first time since Oct. 29 that Ayton has played fewer than 32 minutes. Fantasy managers aren't getting what they hoped for in terms of Ayton's scoring (11.9 points per game), but his 11.5 rebounds are on pace to match a career high. He's also had active hands defensively, averaging 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks. That's helped the center retain fantasy value while his offense has slipped.

Ayton produced 22 points (10-17 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds and three assists across 34 minutes during Tuesday's 115-99 loss to the Jazz.

Ayton has had to step his game up offensively due to the absences the Blazers are dealing with, but he made his presence felt on both ends of the court Tuesday despite the double-digit loss. Ayton has been inconsistent as a scorer but has been playing well of late, racking up five double-doubles over his last seven contests.

Ayton provided 12 points (6-10 FG), seven rebounds and two blocks across 34 minutes during Sunday's 116-110 loss to the Lakers.

Ayton grabbed a season-low seven boards, failing to record double-digit rebounds for just the second time this season. While the big man is averaging a double-double to start his first campaign in Portland, his scoring production has taken a dramatic hit. He's currently averaging a career-low 11.4 points per game, but he has been a force defensively, posting 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks a night.

Ayton registered 16 points (8-13 FG), 11 rebounds, one assist, one block and five steals across 34 minutes during Wednesday's 110-101 win over the Pistons.

Ayton was coming off grabbing a career-high 23 rebounds against the Raptors on Monday, and he recorded another career-high mark Wednesday with his five steals. The big man has three double-doubles across his last four games and has pulled down double-digit boards in all but one of his five contests so far, though he could experience an uptick in scoring to boost his fantasy upside even more. Thus far, Ayton has reached the 15-point mark in just one of his five contests.

Ayton ended Monday's 99-91 victory over the Raptors with 10 points (5-9 FG), 23 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 32 minutes.

The 23 boards were a career high for the former Sun, who never topped 21 during his time with Phoenix. Ayton's offense has been erratic to begin the season as he tries to find his role on a new team, but he's delivered 12 or more rebounds in three of four games and appears headed for career-best numbers in that category -- his prior high was 11.5 boards a game, set back in 2019-20 over only 38 contests.

Ayton ended with 14 points (7-9 FG), 15 rebounds and one assist over 30 minutes during Friday's 102-97 loss to the Magic.

Ayton found his shooting stroke after a tepid showing in the season opener. Ayton and Shaedon Sharpe had the most success against a solid Orlando defense, and the double-double was a relief to fantasy managers who invested in him with a high draft pick. The impact of Anfernee Simons' (thumb) injury is assuaged by a solid group of guards on the bench, and they'll find a way to keep Ayton on the receiving end of assists in the interior.

Ayton racked up four points (2-4 FG), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals across 23 minutes during Wednesday's 123-111 loss to the Clippers.

Ayton's first regular-season game in a Portland uniform was a mixed bag. The former Phoenix Sun turned the ball over three times, and while his rebounding totals were great, he struggled to put points on the board. Ayton has the inside track to be the full-time starter, but Robert Williams also looked good in the opener, and his presence could cap Ayton's usage to under 30 minutes.

Ayton (rest) isn't on the injury report for Wednesday's season opener against the Clippers.

Ayton will suit up for Wednesday's preseason opener after sitting out the team's preseason finale for rest purposes. Ayton is slated to start at center for Portland after being traded from Phoenix this offseason.

Ayton (rest/undisclosed) is inactive for Monday's preseason game against the Suns, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Ayton will sit Portland's preseason finale, which wouldn't be overly notable except that he passes the opportunity for a revenge game against the Suns. Ayton did not play in Saturday's preseason contest against Utah as well, but the 25-year-old should be fully healthy.

Ayton (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game against the Jazz, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

There are no details regarding Ayton's absence, so there's a chance he is just out due to rest. Ayton's next chance to play will come against the Suns on Monday.

Ayton put up eight points (4-10 FG), six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot over 15 minutes against New Zealand in Tuesday's 106-66 preseason victory.

In his first game in a Portland uniform following five seasons with the Suns, Ayton filled out the stat sheet nicely given his limited time on the court. The big man led the Blazers with 10 field-goal attempts, an encouraging sign for potentially increased usage now that he's out of the shadows of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix. Ayton has averaged a double-double in every one of his NBA campaigns thus far, and if Tuesday's performance is any indication, that streak could continue with his new team.

Ayton was traded to the Trail Blazers on Wednesday in a three-team trade involving the Bucks and Suns, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. Portland also acquired Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara and a 2029 first-round pick. Milwaukee received Damian Lillard. Phoenix got Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.

Portland finally traded Lillard after months of speculation. The front office is expected to shop Holiday to acquire young talent and/or picks, but Ayton appears to be staying a Trail Blazer. Away from high-usage stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, Ayton could see more touches than ever. As a sophomore, the center flashed third-round fantasy value, and this move could make him an even more reliable source of 20-and-10s.

Ayton (ribs) played in all four of The Bahamas' FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament games in Argentina last week, averaging 15.5 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks in 29.9 minutes per contest.

Playing alongside fellow NBA veterans Buddy Hield and Eric Gordon, Ayton guided The Bahamas to a 4-0 record en route to winning the tournament and sending the island nation into another tournament next July that would give it a chance to qualify for its first Olympic berth at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. After concluding the tournament with 10 points and 21 rebounds in The Bahamas' upset win over tournament host Argentina on Sunday, Ayton looks to be fully healthy again after a rib contusion kept him out for the Suns' season-ending loss May 11 to the Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Though multiple reports indicated that the Suns had been exploring trades for Ayton this offseason, the 25-year-old center looks set to stay in Phoenix for his sixth NBA season, with the team hoping that he proves to be a better fit under new head coach Frank Vogel than predecessor Monty Williams.

The Suns are moving forward with the plan of keeping Ayton to play alongside Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reports.

The Suns were exploring trades involving the talented big man this offseason, but it appears they didn't field any offers enticing enough to part with the 2018 No. 1 overall pick. The 24-year-old has averaged at least 14.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in each of his first five NBA campaigns, including a career-high 18.0 points last season.

The Suns will explore the possibility of trading Ayton (ribs) this offseason, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

After suffering a disappointing exit in the Second Round of the Western Conference Playoffs it appears the Suns are looking to make significant roster changes ahead of the 2023-24 season, including potentially parting ways with both Chris Paul and Ayton. After signing a four-year, $132.93 million contract last offseason Ayton appeared in 67 regular season games in 2022-23, averaging 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds across 30.4 minutes. Though there have been some motor concerns with Ayton since entering the league in 2018, the 24-year-old will undoubtedly attract some suitors if put on the trading block.

Ayton (ribs) is out for Thursday's Game 6 versus the Nuggets, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Ayton has been downgraded from questionable to out Thursday due to a rib contusion. Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo should see extended roles in Ayton's absence. The Suns will have to win Game 6 and force a Game 7 in order for the 2018 No. 1 pick to have a chance of suiting up again this postseason.

Ayton (rib contusion) is questionable for Game 6 versus the Nuggets on Thursday according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

Ayton is the only player on the injury report other than Chris Paul who will sit once again with his groin strain. Ayton has had a shaky series against the Nuggets so far, but it's hard to imagine him sitting out with their season on the line. If Ayton is unable to play, we'd likely see more of Jock Landale, T.J. Warren and possibly Bismack Biyombo.

Ayton closed Tuesday's 118-102 loss to the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 14 points (7-12 FG), nine rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 32 minutes.

Ayton delivered an improved performance Tuesday, at least from a statistical standpoint. While his numbers were more in line with what he was able to put up during the regular season, he still ended the game as a team-worst minus-21. Despite playing just 16 minutes, Jock Landale on the other hand was a team-best plus-5. Now trailing 3-2 in the series, the Suns will head back to Phonex for Game 6, a must-win should they hope to stay alive in the playoffs.

Ayton posted 14 points (7-10 FG), eight rebounds, four assists and one block in 33 minutes during Monday's 97-87 loss to Denver in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Ayton delivered another efficient performance in Game 2, but just like in Game 1, he failed to reach the 15-point mark and couldn't record double-digit rebounds. There's no question that dealing with Nikola Jokic has been quite a challenge for Ayton. While he remains valuable in DFS and playoff-based formats, there's no question his impact has been diminished compared to the one he had against the Clippers in the first round. There's a chance that changes in Game 3, however, as he could be in line for more offensive touches in the event Chris Paul (groin) ends up missing Friday's contest.

Ayton had 12 points (4-9 FG, 4-8 FT), 11 rebounds and one steal across 35 minutes during Thursday's 129-124 victory over the Clippers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Ayton has posted a double-double in back-to-back contests, and the Suns have claimed a 2-1 lead over the Clippers after dropping Game 1. Through three playoff contests, the fifth-year big man is averaging 14.7 points and 10.7 rebounds, but he's shooting just 60 percent from the free-throw line. Ayton shot 76 percent from the charity stripe during the regular season and has never shot below 74 percent in his career, so an uptick in that department could bode well for his overall production moving forward.

Ayton notched 14 points (7-10 FG) and 13 rebounds in 32 minutes during Tuesday's 123-109 victory over the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Ayton got in foul trouble early, and the Suns looked like a different team while he was on the bench. His absence allowed the Clippers back into contention after building a double-digit lead, but he finally returned for six minutes in the fourth quarter as the Suns pulled away. Unsurprisingly, Ayton's plus-minus was +15 in the Game 2 win.

Ayton (rest) will not play Sunday against the Clippers, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.

The Suns will again its core players ahead of the playoffs, and with Bismack Biyombo (knee) also shelved, Jock Landale should see plenty of time at center. Ayton ends the 2022-23 regular season with averages of 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 30.4 minutes.

Ayton (rest) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Lakers, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Ayton, along with Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, will all take a seat Friday for rest purposes. In Ayton's absence, Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale are candidates for increased role versus Los Angeles.

Ayton provided 19 points (8-12 FG, 3-4 FT) and 11 rebounds over 31 minutes during Sunday's 128-118 victory over the Thunder.

For the first time since returning from a hip injury a week ago, Ayton logged a double-double with some solid rebounding and scoring numbers Sunday night. Unfortunately, it was also another game where he failed to record a single block. The young center out of Arizona has had zero blocks in five of his last seven contests after what was a strong run of games in February with more consistent production in that category.

Ayton finished with eight points (4-11 FG, 0-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 28 minutes during Friday's 100-93 victory over Denver.

Ayton struggled to find any offensive rhythm but salvaged his production with a team-high 10 boards. Since returning from a three-game absence, Ayton has posted modest averages of 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 29.0 minutes per game.

Ayton registered 10 points (5-9 FG), three rebounds, three blocks and one steal over 29 minutes during Wednesday's 107-100 win over the Timberwolves.

Although Ayton matched his highest total of the season with three blocks in Wednesday's victory, he was held in check on the boards while also posting his lowest scoring total since March 3. However, the 24-year-old hasn't had significant workload restrictions over his two appearances since returning from a four-game absence, as he's averaged 29.5 minutes per game over his last two outings.

Ayton racked up 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-4 FT) and eight rebounds in 30 minutes during Monday's 117-103 victory over the Jazz.

Ayton returned to action after missing the previous four games, logging 30 minutes in the victory. While the playing time was certainly encouraging, his production, or lack thereof, left a lot to be desired. He does deserve a small amount of wiggle room given the injury layoff, although a lack of peripheral numbers is something that continues to drag down his overall value.

Ayton (hip) will play Monday against the Jazz, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton is returning from a four-game stint on the sidelines, which should queue Bismack Biyombo's return to the second unit and Jock Landale won't play as much. Ayton could have his minutes monitored in his first game back, making him a semi-risky target in daily fantasy leagues, although he's safe to fire up in season-long settings.

Ayton (hip) is probable for Monday's game against the Jazz, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton has missed the last four games due to a hip injury, but he'll likely be able to return to the court for Monday's matchup in Utah. He's averaged 18.6 points and 9.4 rebounds in 31.2 minutes per game over his last five appearances, but it's possible his playing time is monitored if he's cleared to play Monday.

Ayton (hip) will not play either Friday versus the Kings or Saturday versus the 76ers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republicreports.

Ayton had been ruled out for the finale of the team's three-game road trip Friday in Sacramento, but head coach Monty Williams later relayed that the big man will miss at least the next two contests. Bismack Biyombo figures to remain in the starting five, and Jock Landale should also claim some spare minutes.

Ayton (hip) will miss Friday's game against the Kings, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton didn't make the trip to Sacramento for Friday's contest, the conclusion of the team's three-game road trip. As a result, the big man's next opportunity to take the floor comes when the team returns home for the second half of a back-to-back set Saturday when the Suns host the Sixers. Bismack Biyombo figures to draw another start in his absence, with Jock Landale also figuring to handle a few extra minutes.

Ayton won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Lakers due to a hip injury, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton will miss a second straight, although his injury has gone from being listed as a groin issue to his hip. Bismack Biyombo started against the Thunder in his absence. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Sacramento.

Ayton (groin) is out for Sunday's matchup against the Thunder, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton suffered a groin injury during Thursday's win over the Magic, which will cause him to miss his first game since Jan. 23. In his absence, Jock Landale, Bismack Biyombo and Darius Bazley are candidates for extra minutes.

Ayton was walking with a limp in the locker room after he suffered a right groin injury late in Thursday's win over the Magic, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

The 24-year-old played through the injury down the stretch during Thursday's victory and finished with 16 points (6-12 FG, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds and one block in 35 minutes. It doesn't appear to be a serious injury, and Ayton will have a couple days to rest up ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Thunder.

Ayton finished with 16 points (8-19 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and eight rebounds in 25 minutes during Tuesday's 116-104 loss to Milwaukee.

Ayton struggled in the loss, as Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated the interior throughout the game. Despite five double-doubles since the All-Star break, Ayton's production has been spotty at times, but the addition of Kevin Durant (ankle) should help the Arizona product's bottom line. In the meantime, Ayton should be able to manage decent stat lines, but his production will still lag behind the elite centers of the league without Durant's help.

Ayton amassed 27 points (13-19 FG, 1-1 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 35 minutes during Monday's 123-112 loss to the Warriors.

Ayton and Devin Booker carried the load on offense for Phoenix on Monday, as they were the only players on the team to score over 11 points. Ayton was very efficient with his field-goal tries, going 13-for-19. This was the big man's second straight double-double and his 34th such performance of the campaign.

Ayton supplied 22 points (9-15 FG, 4-5 FT), 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals across 37 minutes during Saturday's 128-119 loss to the Kings.

Although Ayton has struggled to get a double-double streak going, he's hit the milestone in six of his last 10 games. Over that span, he averaged 17.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Ayton ended Sunday's 130-126 victory over the Mavericks with nine points (4-6 FG, 1-2 FT), 16 rebounds, one block and one steal in 34 minutes.

The fifth-year center banged up his knee in Friday's win over the Bulls, but he seemed healthy Sunday, although he left the scoring up to Kevin Durant and Devin Booker and focused his attention on dominating the glass. Ayton has grabbed 16 boards twice in three games since Durant made his Phoenix debut, and he's pulled down double-digit rebounds nine times in his last 12 games.

Ayton (knee) has been upgraded to available and will play Sunday against the Mavericks.

Ayton was tipped as a game-time decision before Sunday's contest, but he recovered in time and should start at center. Ayton played just 27 minutes Friday against the Bulls but should be fine for this one. He's averaging 20.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game since the start of February.

Ayton (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Mavericks, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton had a muted outing in the Suns' blowout win over the Bulls on Friday, and the center failed to practice Saturday. If he misses his first game since Jan. 24, Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo would see more run.

Ayton did not practice Saturday due to a knee injury, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton is getting treatment on his knee, and the medical staff is gathering more information before determining the center's status for Sunday's game at Dallas. Ayton played 27 minutes during Friday's 125-104 win over the Bulls, producing just seven points, three rebounds and one steal.

Ayton notched 16 points (7-10 FG, 2-2 FT), 16 rebounds, four assists and one block in 33 minutes during Wednesday's 105-91 victory over the Hornets.

Ayton recorded his third straight double-double, and fifth in his last six games. His fantasy production has been a lot more consistent over the past few months. In fact, he hasn't gone two games in a row without double digit rebounds since the beginning of January. His usage is one thing that is likely to take a hit now that Kevin Durant is on the floor with them. The young center only attempted 10 shots Wednesday night (his lowest since December) and that might be a good indication of his role in this new-look offense for the rest of the season.

Ayton supplied 22 points (11-21 FG), 11 rebounds and three blocks over 35 minutes during Sunday's 104-101 loss to Milwaukee.

Ayton led Phoenix in rebounds and blocks while finishing as one of two players to score 20 or more points in Sunday's loss. Ayton has tallied 20 or more points with 10 or more rebounds in 17 outings this year, including in three of his last five games.

Ayton chipped in 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, two blocks and one steal over 31 minutes during Friday's 124-115 victory over the Thunder.

Ayton didn't have his most efficient performance from the field, but he still ended with a double-double and contributed on both ends of the court as Phoenix marched its way to victory here. Ayton has six double-doubles in nine February outings and is averaging 22.9 points with 10.1 rebounds per game this month.

Ayton chipped in 29 points (13-17 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and four steals in 37 minutes during Tuesday's 120-109 victory over the Kings.

Ayton had his way with the Kings, taking full advantage of what was a favorable matchup. Despite Domantas Sabonis being one of the more offensively gifted centers in the league, his shortcomings on defense are well documented. Ayton was able to capitalize on that, turning in arguably his best all-around performance of the season. He has been a first-round player over the past two weeks, easily his best stretch of the season. While he certainly looks more engaged on both ends of the floor, managers could also view this as a nice sell-high opportunity.

Ayton closed Friday's 117-104 win over the Pacers with 22 points (9-14 FG, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals over 30 minutes.

Ayton was one of the top performers for the Suns on Friday, leading the team in both points and rebounds en route to his fourth double-double over his last six outings. The star big man is averaging 24.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in February, but his numbers should regress in the future, as he's expected to operate as a secondary offensive weapon behind Devin Booker and Kevin Durant (knee).

Ayton closed with 35 points (14-18 FG, 7-8 FT), 15 rebounds and one steal in 35 minutes during Tuesday's 116-112 victory over the Nets.

Ayton led all Suns players in scoring and rebounds, posting his second straight 30-point double-double performance. Ayton has finished with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds on three occasions this year.

Ayton ended with 31 points (13-15 FG, 5-6 FT), 16 rebounds, two assists and one block over 31 minutes during Saturday's 116-100 win over the Pistons.

Ayton missed only two field-goal attempts all night and recorded his ninth double-double in the last 12 games. While this kind of shooting efficiency isn't going to stick around, his usage should continue to have a positive impact. He has made at least nine shots in four of his last five contests. The former top draft pick also added a block for the second straight game, and fantasy managers would love to see him improve more in this category.

Ayton totaled 20 points (9-12 FG, 2-3 FT) and nine rebounds in 27 minutes during Wednesday's 132-100 loss to Atlanta.

Ayton was one of only two Phoenix players to hit the 20-point mark in the loss, and he reached that total on an efficient 9-for-12 shooting line. The big man also led the team with nine boards, but he didn't produce any defensive stats for the fourth time in his past seven games. Ayton's subpar shot-blocking numbers hurt his value in fantasy, but you could do much worse than a center who is averaging a double-double (17.8 points, 10.1 rebounds) on the season.

Ayton racked up 22 points (9-17 FG, 4-4 FT), 13 rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes during Monday's 114-106 victory over Toronto.

Ayton scored 20-plus points for a second straight game and has recorded two double-doubles in three matchups since returning from a three-game absence due to an illness. During that stretch, he's averaging 21.3 points, 13.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 33.0 minutes per game. Ayton is having another solid campaign, but he's shooting just 57.0 percent from the field after back-to-back campaigns over 62 percent. The extended absences of Devin Booker (groin) and Chris Paul (hip) presumably shrunk the floor and contributed to Ayton's dip in efficiency, but when Phoenix gets both of their guards back, the big man may see fewer opportunities down low.

Ayton finished with 19 points (6-20 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 7-10 FT), 20 rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 31 minutes during Thursday's 99-95 loss to the Mavericks.

Ayton ended with more shots than points scored, but he still salvaged what was an inefficient scoring night with an elite effort on the glass. He ended just one rebound shy of tying his season-best mark in the category and notched his 23rd double-double of the season. Ayton is averaging 17.0 points and 12.3 boards per game across eight January appearances.

Ayton (illness) said he'll play Thursday against the Mavericks, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton has missed the last three games due to an illness but was probable ahead of Thursday's matchup and will be able to return to the court. Bismack Biyombo should retreat to the bench with Ayton back in action Thursday.

Ayton (illness) is probable for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton has missed the last three games due to an illness, but he returned to practice Wednesday and will likely be back in action a day later. He's posted double-doubles in five of his last six appearances, averaging 17.5 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 32.7 minutes per game over that stretch.

Ayton (illness) was present for Wednesday's practice and was spotted taking part in work during the media-access portion of the session, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

While it's unclear if Ayton was a full or partial participant in the session, his involvement in any capacity bodes well for his chances of putting an end to his three-game absence Thursday against the Mavericks. Bismack Biyombo has started at center in each of the past three games in Ayton's stead, averaging 7.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.0 assists in 25.7 minutes in those contests.

Ayton (illness) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Charlotte, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton was downgraded to doubtful earlier in the day, so this latest update comes as no surprise. He'll miss his third straight contest while recovering from an illness.

Ayton (illness) has been upgraded from out to doubtful ahead of Tuesday's game versus the Hornets.

Ayton remains expected to miss Tuesday's contest, but the upgrade suggests there is at least a chance the big man will rejoin the action. If he misses a third straight game, as expected, Bismack Biyombo will likely get another start, and Jock Landale will likely snare a more sizable role as well. Even if Ayton sits, his upgrade to doubtful suggests a return isn't too far away. The change in designation still means it will be worth keeping an eye on Ayton's status leading up to the 9 PM ET tipoff.

Ayton (illness) has been ruled out for Tuesday's contest against the Hornets, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

The 7-foot center will officially miss his third straight game as he continues to recover from a non-COVID-related illness. Bismack Biyombo figures to continue to start in Ayton's place. The Arizona product's next chance of taking the floor comes Thursday against the Mavericks.

Ayton (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Grizzlies, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton will missed both halves of the Suns' weekend back-to-back set due to an illness. His next chance to suit up will come Tuesday against the Hornets. In his absence, Bismack Biyombo figures to draw another start, while Jock Landale garners an increased role off the bench.

Ayton (illness) won't play Saturday against the Pacers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton has played in three consecutive games since returning from an ankle injury, but he'll be back on the shelf Saturday. In his absence, Bismack Biyombo, Jock Landale and Dario Saric are candidates to see expanded roles.

Ayton is considered questionable for Saturday's game against the Pacers due to a non-COVID related illness, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton's status will presumably depend on how he is feeling closer to tip-off. If he is ultimately unable to go, Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo would be in line for increased workloads.

Ayton accumulated 18 points (8-11 FG, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and one assist across 30 minutes during Monday's 136-106 loss to Memphis.

Ayton has scored in double digits in six games in a row and has four double-doubles in that span. His shooting numbers were good Monday, but that has been an anomaly for the big man since the start of the new year. In six January outings, Ayton is averaging 15.5 points and shooting 46.7 percent from the field.

Ayton totaled 11 points (5-18 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes during Friday's 121-116 loss to the Timberwolves.

Ayton racked up a double-double in the loss but struggled mightily from the field, shooting just 5-of-18. The 11 rebounds were nice but that's really where the positives end. He currently profiles as the 72nd-best player in standard formats but is outside the top 190 over the past two weeks. His inability to protect the rim, along with mediocre free throw shooting, makes him a tough player to see blowing up at any point in the near future.

Ayton (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Timberwolves.

A sprained left ankle has kept Ayton out over the past two games, but the center will return Friday, which should push Bismack Biyombo back to the bench. Ayton could be featured more in the offense while the Suns remain without Chris Paul (hip), Devin Booker (groin), Landry Shamet (hip), Cameron Johnson (knee) and Cameron Payne (foot). Since Christmas Day, Ayton is averaging 17.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 33.0 minutes.

Ayton, who's officially listed as questionable with a sprained left ankle, is expected to play Friday against the Timberwolves, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton has missed back-to-back games after spraining his ankle during Sunday's loss to Cleveland, but it appears the talented big man will return to action against Minnesota. Despite the optimistic report, fantasy managers are still encouraged to confirm Ayton's availability ahead of the 8 p.m. ET tipoff before locking him into lineups. If he does return, Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo would presumably see fewer minutes.

Ayton (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable on the injury report ahead of Friday's game versus the Timberwolves, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton was listed out initially on the team's previous two injury reports, so the big man's upgrade to questionable seemingly gives him a reasonable shot to retake the floor. If that's the case, Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo would presumably see a reduction in minutes.

Ayton (ankle) is out for Wednesday's game versus the Nuggets, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ayton will miss both legs of the Suns' back-to-back with a left ankle sprain. Jock Landale started Tuesday's game in his place. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with the Timberwolves.

Ayton (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton played 30 minutes during Sunday's loss to Cleveland and notched his third straight double-double during the matchup, but it appears he sustained an ankle injury during the contest as well. He'll sit out Tuesday with the issue, but his status for the second half of the Suns' back-to-back Wednesday in Denver remains unclear, though he can presumably be considered, at best, questionable. In Ayton's absence, Jock Landale, Bismack Biyombo and Dario Saric are candidates for increased playing time.

Ayton is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Warriors due to a left ankle sprain, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

It's unclear as to when Ayton picked up the injury, but his status is now up in the air as Tuesday's tipoff approaches. The team should have a better idea of his availability after morning shootaround and pregame warmups.

Ayton finished Sunday's 112-98 loss to the Cavaliers with 14 points (6-16 FG, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, six assists and one block in 30 minutes.

Ayton managed just six first-half points on 2-of-9 shooting from the field but still made his presence felt with four assists and six rebounds heading into the break. The Suns' big man added another six points and five boards in the third quarter to notch his third straight double-double while also reaching his second-highest assist total of the season with six. He's now scored in double figures in four straight contests and in 10 of his last 11.

Ayton produced 23 points (10-20 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 14 rebounds and two assists over 36 minutes during Friday's 104-96 loss to the Heat.

Ayton was a bright spot in Phoenix's loss as he battled to a draw against Bam Adebayo . While the Suns have tinkered with options in the interior to complement Ayton, Torrey Craig has emerged as the best option, and Ayton's numbers have been excellent with Craig supporting him.

Ayton logged 15 points (7-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 18 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 37 minutes during Wednesday's 90-88 loss to the Cavaliers.

Ayton led the team in rebounds en route to a double-double performance that was two boards and five points shy of a 20-20 outing. Ayton has tallied at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in three games this year.

Ayton racked up 12 points (6-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 29 minutes during Monday's 102-83 loss to New York.

Ayton was the top scorer in Sunday's loss, also leading the team in shots made while finishing second on the team in rebounds. Ayton has tallied at least 10 points and five rebounds in 27 appearances this season.

Ayton logged four points (2-10 FG), seven rebounds and three assists across 31 minutes during Friday's 113-104 loss to the Raptors.

Ayton had a woeful performance from the field and couldn't contribute too much in other categories to even salvage his fantasy output a bit. That said, Ayton had surpassed the 20-point mark in four of his previous six games and should operate as Phoenix's main scoring threat as long as Devin Booker (groin) remains out, so there's a strong possibility this was nothing more than a bad game for the star big man.

Ayton closed Wednesday's 127-102 loss to the Wizards with 31 points (14-22 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and two steals over 36 minutes.

With Devin Booker (groin) unavailable, Ayton stepped up for the Suns and set a new season scoring high. The fifth-year center has looked good since returning from a minor ankle injury earlier this month, averaging 22.8 points, 10.3 boards and 0.8 blocks in the last six games while shooting 62.1 percent from the floor, and Phoenix will need to lean on Ayton heavily with Booker out for at least the next four weeks.

Ayton totaled 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-3 FT), 10 rebounds and one block over 27 minutes during Tuesday's 125-108 win over the Grizzlies.

Ayton hit half of his field-goal attempts to contribute to a balanced scoring attack for Phoenix that resulted in eight different players finishing with at least 10 points. The center also led the team with 10 boards to notch his fourth double-double across his past five games. Ayton is neither flashy nor particularly well-rounded, but he offers a steady consistency in the fantasy world with per-game averages of 17.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks while shooting 61.8 percent from the floor and 72.5 percent from the charity stripe.

Ayton logged 22 points (9-18 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 16 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals over 38 minutes during Sunday's 128-125 overtime loss to Denver.

Ayton had to embrace a more significant role on offense following the early exit of Devin Booker following the re-aggravation of his groin injury, but the big man stepped up to the challenge and posted a strong outing on both ends of the court. Ayton has three double-doubles across his last four appearances since returning from a two-game absence, and while he's always been a productive player for the Suns, he should see an uptick on his usage rate as long as Booker is out.

Ayton amassed 18 points (9-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT) and five rebounds in 21 minutes during Friday's 125-100 loss to the Grizzlies.

Ayton played only 21 minutes Friday as he picked up four fouls and was on the wrong end of a blowout. However, he still managed to lead the Suns in scoring on a night when Devin Booker (groin) missed his third straight game. Ayton also finished in a tie for the team lead with a modest five boards.

Ayton posted 30 points (12-20 FG, 6-6 FT), 13 rebounds and one block in 32 minutes during Tuesday's 113-110 loss to the Wizards.

Ayton recorded a double-double in his return to the court Monday, and he remained dominant in the second half of the back-to-back set. Over his last five appearances, he's averaged 21.8 points and 10.6 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per game.

Ayton provided 21 points (9-11 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 11 rebounds and one block in 26 minutes during Monday's 130-104 win over the Lakers.

Ayton dominated in the post after missing the Suns' last two matchups due to an ankle injury, and he also showcased his shot from deep, draining his only three-point attempt. The Suns were in no hurry to hand him a heavy workload in a blowout, so this was a solid opportunity to ease the big man back into game action. Ayton has now notched a double-double in three of his last four games.

Ayton is available for Monday's contest against the Lakers, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton will officially make his return to the court after missing the Suns' previous three outings. The 24-year-old center is averaging 17.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists across his first 26 appearances this season. Bismack Biyombo figures to return to his normal reserve role with Ayton back in the lineup.

Ayton (ankle) is listed as questionable but participated in shootaround ahead of Monday's matchup against the Lakers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton has missed back-to-back games due to a left ankle sprain and is listed as questionable, but his participation at shootaround suggests the big man could be back in the mix Monday. In the 10 games before his injury, Ayton posted 21.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 blocks in 30.9 minutes, though it's possible he'll be limited if he's deemed available against the Lakers.

Ayton (ankle) is considered questionable for Monday's game against the Lakers, Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports reports.

The big man has missed the last two games with a sprained left ankle, and the Suns will wait to see how he feels Monday before making a decision on his status. Phoenix also plays Tuesday against Washington, so Ayton's status will be worth monitoring closely before weekly fantasy lineups lock Monday evening.

Ayton (ankle) is out for Saturday's matchup with the Pelicans.

Ayton will miss his second straight game after suffering a left ankle sprain in Tuesday's game. Bismack Biyombo will likely start again, with Jock Landale receiving extended minutes off the bench. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Monday's contest versus the Lakers.

Ayton (ankle) won't play in Thursday's game against the Clippers.

Ayton has been downgraded from questionable to out after injuring his left ankle in Tuesday's loss to the Rockets. Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale are candidates to start in his absence. Ayton's next chance to play is Saturday's matchup with the Pelicans.

Ayton (ankle) is questionable to play Thursday against the Clippers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton suffered a left ankle injury during Tuesday's loss to Houston and, as a result, missed Wednesday's practice. If Ayton's ankle issue doesn't improve by Thursday's tipoff, it's likely that the center will have to miss the contest versus the Clippers. If that's the case, Jock Landale or Dario Saric are candidates to garner the start.

Ayton (ankle) didn't participate in practice Wednesday, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton left Tuesday's game against the Rockets with a left ankle injury. While the 24-year-old big man hasn't received an official injury designation for Thursday's game, his absence from practice leaves his status in doubt. If Ayton is unavailable against the Clippers, Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale will likely see extended minutes in the frontcourt.

Ayton won't return to Tuesday's game against Houston due to a left ankle injury, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton injured his ankle sometime during the first half of Tuesday's contest with the Rockets, as the center posted five points and three rebounds in 15 minutes before exiting. With the severity of the injury unknown at the moment, Ayton will presumably be tabbed questionable for the Suns' next matchup Thursday against the Clippers.

Ayton produced 28 points (13-18 FG, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists and one block across 33 minutes before fouling out of Sunday's 129-124 overtime loss to New Orleans.

Ayton led Phoenix in scoring and rebounds, adding the second-highest assist total in the overtime loss. Ayton has recorded a double-double in two straight games, having scored at least 25 points with 10 rebounds in six contests this season.

Ayton amassed 25 points (11-15 FG, 3-5 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 40 minutes during Friday's 128-117 loss to the Pelicans.

Ayton dominated on the glass Friday, racking up six rebounds in the first quarter before adding eight more boards in the second half to lead the game with 14, four of which came on the offensive end. The Suns big man was also efficient shooting the ball, going a combined 10-of-12 from the field for 23 points from the second quarter on, though Phoenix would still go on to lose its third straight contest. It marked Ayton's 12th double-double of the season while he's scored 20 or more points in three of his last four.

Ayton registered eight points (4-7 FG), seven rebounds, two assists and one steal across 24 minutes during Wednesday's 125-98 loss to the Celtics.

Ayton got off to a solid start in the first half with eight points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field to go along with seven boards before failing to record a point or rebound over just seven minutes of action in the second half. After recording seven straight double-doubles to finish out November, Ayton has just one through four games this month. He's also scored fewer than 10 points in two of those games.

Ayton totaled 25 points (10-14 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes during Sunday's 133-95 victory over the Spurs.

Ayton led Phoenix in scoring, rebounds and shots made during Sunday's blowout victory, posting his eighth double-double over the last 10 games. Ayton has scored 25 or more points with 10 or more rebounds four times this season.

Ayton amassed eight points (4-7 FG), six rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 30 minutes during Friday's 122-121 loss to the Rockets.

The Suns suffered an uncharacteristic loss to the Rockets on Friday, and Ayton's struggles were part of the downfall. He committed a season-high five turnovers and failed to record a double-double for the first time since Nov. 16. The Suns' next game, Sunday at San Antonio, should be a good bounce-back opportunity.

Ayton provided 30 points (11-17 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 8-9 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 31 minutes during Wednesday's 132-113 victory over the Bulls.

Ayton continued on his merry way Wednesday, dominating as the Suns easily accounted for the Bulls. After a somewhat slow start to the season, Ayton is rolling right now, putting up first-round value over the past two weeks. Granted, his value is heavily reliant on his rebounding numbers and efficiency from the field, making this a bit of an anomaly. It is highly unlikely anyone will trade a top-30 talent to secure Ayton, so riding this out may be the best course of action.

Ayton produced 17 points (8-10 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds and one assist over 35 minutes during Monday's 122-117 victory over the Kings.

Ayton took only 10 shots in the contest -- his fewest in his past four games -- but still managed to put up 17 points on the strength of an efficient shooting line. The Arizona alum added a team-high 12 boards to finish with his sixth straight double-double. Over that stretch, he's averaging 19.7 points and 13.5 rebounds per game.

Ayton accumulated 29 points (11-19 FG, 7-9 FT), 21 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 34 minutes during Saturday's 113-112 win over the Jazz.

Ayton led Phoenix in scoring in the victory, combining with Devin Booker (27 points) to register nearly half of the team's point total. Even more impressively, the big man tied a career high with 21 rebounds and recorded the third 20-20 performance of his career. Ayton also swatted two shots, marking the first time this season that he's notched multiple blocks in consecutive contests. Over his past two games, Ayton has been superb with averages of 28.5 points, 16.5 boards, 2.0 assists and 2.5 blocked shots.

Ayton closed Friday's 108-102 win over the Pistons with 28 points (11-13 FG, 6-7 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and two blocks across 30 minutes.

Ayton's 28 points were a season high, and it was partially fueled by a season-high seven attempts at the free-throw line against the weak Detroit frontline. The center has four consecutive double-doubles and is averaging 16.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists across the last seven games.

Ayton provided 14 points (7-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 15 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 32 minutes during Tuesday's 115-105 win over the Lakers.

Ayton had his hands full against Anthony Davis, but he nevertheless managed to put up an excellent total. Ayton is starting up a bit of a streak, as Tuesday marked his third consecutive double-double.

Ayton logged 17 points (7-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 10 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks over 37 minutes during Friday's 134-133 loss to the Jazz.

Ayton had arguably one of his best games of the year so far. Not only did he record his fourth double-double, but his eight assists were a new career high. It was also nice to see the fifth-year center block multiple shots for only the second time this season. Recently, he's gotten back to being a bigger part of the offense too, as this marked the fourth straight game he's made at least seven field goals.

Ayton recorded 14 points (7-14 FG), seven rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes during Wednesday's 130-119 victory over the Warriors.

Ayton finished with a serviceable yet underwhelming line in the win, failing to record a block for the seventh time this season. He is currently the 124th-ranked player in standard leagues, well below where he was drafted. At this point, it feels as though the only way things will get back to adequate is if he is traded, something that can't happen until January.

Ayton ended Saturday's 102-82 win over the Trail Blazers with seven points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist and two blocks across 16 minutes.

Although Ayton's services were unnecessary, he did what he could in the 16 minutes he was given. Ayton gave way to Dario Saric and Jock Landale for most of the game.

Ayton supplied 24 points (10-14 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes during Friday's 108-106 loss to the Trail Blazers.

Ayton missed Phoenix's previous two games with an ankle injury, but he didn't appear limited in playing 30 minutes Friday. The big man recorded his second-highest point total of the season and also led the Suns with eight boards. Ayton continues to be a steady but unspectacular fantasy center, averaging 16.8 points on 57.9 percent shooting from the field along with 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks per contest.

Coach Monty Williams said Ayton (ankle) will be available for Friday's contest against Portland, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ayton was listed as probable due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for the previous two contests, so it's not surprising to see Ayton ultimately available Friday. Before his injury, the big man posted two double-doubles across the first four games of the season and averaged 18.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 30.5 minutes during that stretch.

Ayton (ankle) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ayton suffered a left ankle injury during last Friday's win over the Pelicans and was expected to miss at least a week to recover. The 24-year-old would only end up missing two games if he is able to return Friday. Expect Bismack Biyombo to start once again if Ayton can't play, while Jock Landale would likely see extended minutes off the bench.

Suns coach Monty said Ayton (ankle) went through a full practice Thursday but is still questionable for Friday's game versus the Trail Blazers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton has missed the Sun's last two games due to a left ankle sprain he suffered last Friday. The 24-year-old big man was expected to be out at least a week, which would mean a return Friday would put him on the earliest end of that timetable. Ayton's return should lead to a decrease in minutes for Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale.

Ayton (ankle) will miss at least a week due to an ankle injury, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Ayton was initially just ruled out for Sunday, but the team later revealed that the big man won't be evaluated for another week, leaving the Suns without one of their primary contributors. Bismack Biyombo played a season-high 22 minutes following Ayton's early departure Friday and may benefit most from the extended absence.

Ayton (ankle) won't take the court during Sunday's game against the Rockets, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton departed Friday's game versus the Pelicans prematurely after suffering an ankle injury, and the issue is severe enough to warrant at least another night off. Ayton's next chance to return arrives Tuesday versus the Timberwolves. Bismack Biyombo logged a season-high 23 minutes in his absence Friday and may be in line for a more significant role again Sunday.

Ayton has been ruled out for the remainder of Friday's game against the Pelicans due to a left ankle sprain.

Ayton logged four points (2-4 FG) and three rebounds in eight minutes to begin Friday's matchup but exited the game late in the first quarter. His next chance to return will be Sunday against the Rockets, while Jock Landale, Bismack Biyombo and Torrey Craig should see additional playing time in Ayton's absence.

Ayton went to the locker room in the first quarter of Friday's game against the Pelicans due to a left ankle injury, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton played eight minutes to begin Friday's matchup but wasn't on the court to begin the second quarter. If he's unable to return to the game, Jock Landale, Bismack Biyombo and Torrey Craig should see increased run for the Suns.

Ayton chipped in 13 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block in 29 minutes during Sunday's 112-95 win over the Clippers.

Ayton supplied a pedestrian night, but this is a realistic expectation for Ayton's floor -- symbolizing the value he brings to fantasy lineups. Ayton has averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while shooting 59.1 percent from the field through three contests to open the season.

Ayton finished Friday's 113-111 overtime loss to the Trail Blazers with 26 points (12-22 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-3 FT), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 38 minutes.

Ayton's double-double streak ended as quickly as it began, as he was solidly out-rebounded by Jusuf Nurkic despite a very good shooting night.

Ayton contributed 18 points (8-11 FG, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal across 30 minutes during Wednesday's 107-105 win over the Mavericks.

Ayton notched 30 double-doubles last season in only 58 games played, and he kicked off 2022 with the first of many more double-doubles to come. Ayton drained 72,7 percent of his shots in the opener, a great sign in a category that he struggles with on occasion.

Ayton will rest during Wednesday's preseason matchup against Sacramento, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton joins Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges as veterans that coach Monty Williams is resting during the Suns' final preseason matchup. Ayton should be ready to go for the team's regular-season opener next Wednesday versus Dallas.

Ayton finished with 19 points (9-12 FG, 1-3 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, three steals and one blocked shot across 27 minutes Monday in a preseason loss to the Nuggets.

Ayton led all players in the contest in rebounds and finished one point behind Devin Booker for high-scoring honors. The big man bounced back nicely from his previous preseason game, when he shot shot 3-for-12 from the field against the Lakers. Ayton is averaging 16.0 points, 8.3 boards and 1.7 steals through three exhibition contests.

Ayton supplied seven points (3-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, two steals, an assist and a blocked shot across 25 minutes in Wednesday's 119-115 exhibition win over the Lakers.

The Pacers made a move to obtain Ayton over the summer, but the Suns kept him in-house, matching Indiana's offer sheet with a four year, $133 million deal. Ayton has averaged a double-double in all four seasons with the Suns.

The Suns matched Aytons' maximum offer sheet given by the Pacers on Thursday and will therefore stay in Phoenix, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

After Ayton received the largest offer sheet in NBA history from the Pacers, the Suns agreed to match the offer sheet, meaning that the center will stay in Phoenix on a four-year, $133 million deal. The former No. 1 pick from the 2018 NBA Draft will likely retain a role similar to the one that he had last season when he averaged 17.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.5 minutes of action. Expect Ayton to stay with the Suns for the foreseeable future as the big man has full veto power on any trades this season.

Ayton and the Pacers agreed Thursday to a four-year, $133 maximum offer sheet, and the Suns have 48 hours to match the contract, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Ayton has garnered the largest offer sheet in NBA history. The soon-to-be 24-year-old center is coming off another strong campaign with the Suns, averaging 17.2 points on 63.4 percent shooting, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.5 minutes. He also remained a high-level contributor in the playoffs for a second straight year and has 35 playoff games under his belt. If the Suns move on from Ayton, the center could see an increased role with the rebuilding Pacers, and it's certainly possible the team moves on from Myles Turner. If Ayton returns to the Suns, his role will probably remain the same for the contending squad.

Ayton ended Sunday's 123-90 loss to the Mavericks in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals with five points (2-5 FG, 1-4 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal over 17 minutes.

Foul trouble was mostly to blame for Ayton's low minute total, as he picked up his third personal with just under four minutes to play in the second quarter. When Ayton exited, Phoenix trailed by 18 points, but by halftime the Mavs' lead ballooned to 30. With the Suns looking for any sort of offensive spark, Ayton sat for much of the second half before it became clear that the game was out of reach and Monty Williams dipped deeper into his bench. This was easily Ayton's worst statistical effort of the postseason. The big man had found success earlier in the series, averaging 17.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and shooting 59.5 percent from the field in Games 1 through 6. After he and the Suns failed to agree on a contract extension prior to the season, Ayton will head into the summer as a restricted free agent. As such, Phoenix will have the right to match any offer Ayton receives, but it remains unclear just how much the Suns, and owner Robert Sarver, will be willing to pay for the No. 1 overall pick in 2018.

Ayton put up 20 points (9-13 FG, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds and two assists in the 110-80 win over Dallas on Tuesday.

Ayton saw just 22 minutes after picking up two quick fouls in the first half but was still one rebound shy of his third straight double-double of the series and fourth of the postseason. The fourth-year center will look to help Phoenix close out the series on Thursday.

Ayton ended Sunday's 111-101 loss to the Mavericks with 14 points (7-12 FG, 0-2 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 33 minutes.

Ayton registered a double-double for a second consecutive contest but has failed to top 20 points since pouring in 25 during Game 1. He's been a steady producer throughout the series, expect for Game 2 when he faced foul trouble. The talented big man has a favorable matchup against the Mavericks frontcourt and will look to take full advantage when the series shifts back to Phoenix on Tuesday.

Ayton closed Friday's 103-94 loss to the Mavericks with 16 points (6-12 FG, 4-4 FT) and 11 rebounds over 33 minutes.

Ayton left his mark on both ends of the court and bounced back from an awful showing, as he only ended with nine points and three rebounds in Game 2. It's worth noting he has scored 15-plus points in six of his last seven postseason appearances.

Ayton had 25 points (12-20 FG, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds and one block over 33 minutes during Monday's 121-114 victory over the Mavericks.

All five Suns starters finished with double-digit scoring, and Ayton led the way with his second-highest point total of the postseason. The big man also tied for the team lead with 20 field-goal attempts and didn't commit a single turnover in his 33 minutes of court time. Ayton has logged five performances of 20-plus points in the playoffs thus far following a regular season during which he averaged 17.2 points per game.

Ayton accumulated 22 points (10-12 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 40 minutes during Thursday's 115-109 win over the Pelicans.

It was the fourth time in six games against the Pels that Ayton scored more than 20 points. The fourth-year center averaged 20.5 points, 9.8 boards, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks in the first round, and he'll take plenty of momentum into a second-round clash with the Mavericks beginning Monday in Phoenix.

Ayton recorded 19 points (8-13 FG, 3-5 FT), nine rebounds and three assists in the 112-97 win over New Orleans on Tuesday.

Ayton fell one rebound shy of his second double-double of the series and 32nd of the season. The fourth-year big man is still up to 20.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest through the first five games of the series.

Ayton had 23 points (11-14 FG, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block in 33 minutes during Sunday's 118-103 loss to the Pelicans.

After going for 28 points and 17 boards in Game 3, Ayton had another efficient night on the offensive end, going 11-of-14 from the field to help counteract a strong effort from Jonas Valanciunas (26 points, 15 boards). For the series, Ayton is up to 20.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 0.8 steals per game. He's drawn only five total free throw attempts in 135 minutes, however.

Ayton logged 28 points (13-20 FG, 1-1 3PT, 1-1 FT), 17 rebounds, three steals, one assist and one block during Friday's 114-111 win over New Orleans.

Ayton recorded his third-highest rebound total of the season to help the Suns steal Game 3 on the road. With Devin Booker being ruled out with a hamstring injury, Phoenix's offense was heavily reliant on Ayton as he scored 21 of his 28 points in the first half.

Ayton contributed 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds and four assists over 33 minutes during Tuesday's 125-114 loss to the Pelicans.

Although Ayton came close to a double-double, his scoring took a serious dive from Game 1, where he finished with 21 points. When Ayton and Cameron Johnson share the court, Ayton's output tends to take a tumble, and that was especially true in the fourth quarter where Johnson had a much better showing overall.

Ayton will be rested for Sunday's game against the Kings.

Ayton, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Jae Crowder will all be rested as the Suns finish out their regular season schedule. Expect JaVale McGee to be the fill-in starter at center.

Ayton amassed 19 points (9-18 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal in 34 minutes during Friday's 111-105 win over Utah.

After resting for Thursday's loss to the Clippers, Ayton was back in the lineup along with all of the Suns' other regulars. In a full 34 minutes of action, he posted his 30th double-double in 58 appearances this season.

Ayton is not listed on the injury report for Friday's game against Utah.

After resting Wednesday night against the Clippers, Ayton should be back in the lineup Friday night for Suns' the second-to-last regular-season game.

Ayton is out for Wednesday's game against the Clippers due to right ankle soreness, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

This is essentially just rest for Ayton and the other three key starters getting the night off. JaVale McGee and Bismack Biyombo should see nearly all the minutes at center.

Ayton chipped in 22 points (10-14 FG, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and one block in 27 minutes during Tuesday's 121-110 win over the Lakers.

Tuesday marked Ayton's 29th double-double, an impressive feat when you consider his attendance record. Various injuries limited Ayton to only 57 games this season, which is the lowest total of his four-year career. He is on track to meet most of his career averages in every statistical category as the season draws to a close.

Ayton will rest for Sunday's game against the Thunder, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton, Devin Booker and Jae Crowder are getting the night off. In their absences, more time should be available for JaVale McGee, Landry Shamet, Torrey Craig and Cameron Johnson.

Ayton closed Wednesday's 107-103 win over the Warriors with 16 points (7-17 FG, 2-2 FT) and 16 rebounds in 35 minutes.

Ayton dominated on the boards for the Suns, corralling double-digit rebounds for the sixth time in his past seven games. The big man also continued his streak of 13 straight double-digit scoring performances dating back to March 6. Ayton is averaging 20.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists over that stretch.

Ayton chipped in 35 points (15-24 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 35 minutes during Wednesday's 125-116 victory over the Timberwolves.

Ayton exploded for a season-high 35 points and added a team-high 14 rebounds en route to a fourth consecutive double-double. Over his past 10 contests, the big man has averaged 21.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29.6 minutes per game. After getting the better of Karl-Anthony Towns on Tuesday, Ayton will have to face MVP candidates Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid in back-to-back contests to finish out the week.

Ayton ended with 20 points (8-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds and one assist over 24 minutes during Friday's 129-102 win over the Bulls.

Even without Chris Paul, the Suns continue to roll through their late-season schedule, and Ayton is a big reason why. The top pick in 2018 posted his third double-double in the last four games and his seventh 20-point effort since the All-Star break. In that span (13 games), Ayton is up to 18.8 points, 9.2 boards and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 67.3 percent from the floor.

Ayton contributed 21 points (10-19 FG, 1-1 FT), 19 rebounds and one assist across 36 minutes during Tuesday's 102-99 victory over the Magic.

With Devin Booker (COVID-19 protocols) and Chris Paul (thumb) sidelined, Ayton continues to shoulder a heavy load for the Suns. Over his last six games, the fourth-year center has shot 65.5 percent from the field and averaged 20.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks in 32.5 minutes.

Ayton supplied 30 points (14-19 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one steal over 33 minutes during Sunday's 132-122 loss to the Bucks.

With Devin Booker and Chris Paul out, it seemed obvious that the best way for the Duns to win was to take over the game inside, and Ayton did his best to lead that effort. Overall, they were successful in containing. Giannis Antetokounmpo by getting him in four trouble, and Ayton also held court as the most productive scorer in the paint. The game was an encouraging sign for Ayton, who will be an essential part of the team's effort as they make a run for the payoffs without their top playmakers.

Ayton provided 23 points (11-15 FG, 1-1 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 34 minutes during Sunday's 118-114 loss to Utah.

Ayton matched his lowest scoring total of the season when he posted six points in Thursday's win over Oklahoma City, but he's bounced back since then with 20-plus points in each of the last two games. He also tied for the team lead on the boards and has had at least five rebounds in each of his appearances since returning to the court at the beginning of February.

Ayton scored 23 points (9-15 FG, 5-6 FT) and added nine rebounds and one block across 27 minutes Wednesday in the Suns' 124-121 win over the Rockets.

Ayton cleared the 20-point mark for the third time in his nine appearances since returning from a seven-game absence due to an ankle injury, with his efforts helping buoy the Suns offense after Chris Paul (hand) was ejected in the third quarter. Though Ayton is converting on a career-best 63.3 percent of his attempts from the field and has come close to maintaining his averages across the board from 2020-21, his missed time more than anything has made it tough for him to meet his draft-day price. He's suited up in only 37 of the Suns' 58 games in 2021-22.

Ayton finished with 27 points (12-14 FG, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block across 27 minutes Thursday in the Suns' 131-107 win over the Bucks.

Ayton had a string of sluggish performances and had ceded more minutes to backup JaVale McGee since returning Feb. 7 from a seven-game absence due to an ankle injury, but the 23-year-old big man restored some faith for fantasy managers Thursday. Though Ayton was held under 30 minutes for the fifth time in six games since his return, it was largely a byproduct of Phoenix entering the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead. Assuming Ayton is feeling healthier now following the recent ankle injury, he should re-emerge as the nightly double-double threat he was earlier this season.

Ayton scored a game-high 20 points (8-14 FG, 4-5 FT) while adding 16 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 24 minutes during Saturday's 95-80 win over the Wizards.

The fourth-year center would have posted even better numbers in a more competitive contest, but the Suns led by 27 points at halftime. It was Ayton's first double-double since Jan. 14 after he missed the second half of January due to an ankle injury, and his best performance on the glass since Nov. 19, but aside from some slippage in blocks his numbers on the season remain in his usual range.

Ayton contributed six points (3-5 FG), nine rebounds, four assists and one steal in 24 minutes during Thursday's 124-115 loss to the Hawks.

Ayton played 24 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back, and that's really where the positive news comes to an end. With both teams going small, combined with his recent injury, Ayton was limited during his time on the floor. Of course, we know he can be much better than this and so managers are simply going to have to play the waiting game as he ramps up his production moving forward.

Ayton (ankle) is available for Thursday's game against the Hawks, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton was considered probable for Thursday after returning from a seven-game absence Tuesday, so it's not surprise he'll suit up in Atlanta. The 23-year-old put up 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and one steal across 28 minutes during his first game back.

Ayton (ankle) is probable for Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Ayton returned from a seven-game absence during Tuesday's win over the Nets and played 28 minutes. Although he's still dealing with his ankle issue, he appears likely to suit up once again Thursday.

Ayton racked up 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and one steal across 28 minutes during Tuesday's 121-111 win over Brooklyn.

Ayton was on a slight minute restriction in his return to action, and it may take a few games for Ayton to get back up to speed. Still, his mere presence in the starting five is a welcome sign for the Suns, despite running up a huge 11-game winning streak in his absence.

Ayton (ankle) is expected to return Tuesday against the Nets, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Ayton has missed the past seven games but apparently felt good during warmups and is expected to make his return Tuesday. It wouldn't be surprising to see his minutes monitored.

Ayton (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable for Tuesday's contest against the Nets.

Ayton was expected to miss his eighth straight matchup while tending to a right ankle sprain, but he's been upgraded to questionable. The big man has only made four appearances since Christmas Day, so if he is available, he'll likely under a minutes restriction.

Ayton (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Nets, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton is set to miss his eighth straight matchup while on the mend from a right ankle sprain. He'll continue to be considered day-to-day moving forward, with his next chance to return arriving Thursday against the Hawks.

Ayton (ankle) is out Sunday against the Spurs.

Ayton will be forced to miss a seventh consecutive game with a right ankle sprain. JaVale McGee and Bismack Biyombo should see increased work Sunday, while Ayton's next chance to return will be Tuesday against the Nets.

Ayton (ankle) is not expected to play in Sunday's game against the Spurs, Duane Rankin of AZCentral.com reports.

Ayton has already missed six straight games with a sprained right ankle, and it looks like he's on course to extend the run to seven. Assuming that's the case, JaVale McGee (knee) will likely get the start in Ayton's place, with Bismack Biyombo and Jalen Smith providing depth at center.

Ayton (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Spurs, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton has missed the last six games due to a right ankle sprain but will have a chance to return to the court Sunday. If he remains out, Bismack Biyombo and Jalen Smith should continue to see increased run.

Ayton (ankle) remains out Friday against the Timberwolves, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ayton continues to deal with a sprained right ankle, and Friday will mark his sixth straight absence. Bismack Biyombo and Jalen Smith should continue seeing increased minutes.

Ayton (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Jazz, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton has been sidelined the past four games by a sprained right ankle, and his absence will continue Wednesday at Utah. Fill-in starter JaVale McGee (knee) is also out, likely leaving Bismack Biyombo and Jalen Smith to split time at center.

Ayton (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Utah, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.comreports.

As expected, Ayton will remain sidelined while on the mend from a sprained right ankle. JaVale McGee should draw another start at center in Ayton's absence. His next opportunity to return arrives Wednesday against the Jazz, this time in Utah.

Ayton (ankle) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Jazz.

Ayton has been unavailable for the last three games due to a sprained right ankle, and he'll likely be forced to sit out again Monday. Assuming he's held out, JaVale McGee, Bismack Biyombo and Jalen Smith should see increased run once again.

Ayton (ankle) is out Saturday against the Pacers, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ayton continues to deal with a sprained right ankle and will be forced to miss a third consecutive game. JaVale McGee, Jalen Smith and Bismack Biyombo should continue to handle increased roles for Phoenix on Saturday.

Ayton (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton will miss a second straight contest as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. As a result, JaVale McGee, Jalen Smith and Bismack Biyombo should see additional minutes in the Suns' frontcourt. Ayton's next opportunity to return will be Saturday against the Pacers.

Ayton (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton did some "functional" work off the court, but it seems unlikely he'll take the court Thursday against the Mavericks, which would mark his second straight absence. In his place, more minutes would be in store for JaVale McGee, Jalen Smith and Bismack Biyombo.

Ayton (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Dallas, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton sustained a right ankle sprain during Sunday's win over the Pistons and was unable to return to the contest. He'll be unavailable for the second half of the back-to-back set, which should create increased opportunities for JaVale McGee, Jalen Smith and Bismack Biyombo. Ayton will have several days to recover before the Suns take on the Mavericks on Thursday.

Ayton suffered a right ankle sprain and won't return to Sunday's game against the Pistons, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ayton had six points (3-3 FG), two assists and one steal in eight minutes before exiting with the injury. His availability for the second half of the back-to-back set Monday at San Antonio is now in question, and he could miss additional time depending on the severity of the sprain. JaVale McGee, Jalen Smith and Bismack Biyombo should see more run in Ayton's absence for the Suns.

Ayton recorded 27 points (12-18 FG, 1-1 3PT, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block in Friday's 112-94 win over the Pacers.

Ayton's double-double was his 16th in 27 games this season. The big man has averaged 18.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 1.0 blocks across 30.7 minutes in his last three games following a six-game absence.

Ayton finished with 12 points (4-5 FG, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block in 32 minutes during Saturday's 123-100 loss to the Heat.

Ayton missed each of the Suns' previous six games while in health and safety protocols, so his sub-par effort Saturday is understandable. The fourth-year center missed only one shot, but he finished with his fewest field-goal attempts of the campaign and his lowest point total since late November. Ayton will likely increase his offensive activity level as he ramps back up following the absence.

Ayton (conditioning) will play Saturday against the Heat, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Ayton will return following a six-game absence due to protocols and conditioning. He had a strong December, with averages of 18.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 blocks in 31.3 minutes.

Ayton (COVID-19 protocols) exited protocols Wednesday but remains out Thursday against the Clippers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton needs to get his conditioning up to par, so he'll remain out for a sixth straight game. Jalen Smith should get the nod at center again.

Ayton was placed in the league's health and safety protocols Monday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

It's not yet clear whether Ayton has tested positive for COVID-19 or when he'll be able to return to the court, but he'll be unavailable for Monday's game against Memphis. JaVale McGee, Jalen Smith and Emanuel Terry should see increased work in the frontcourt while Ayton and Jae Crowder are in the COVID-19 protocols.

Ayton notched 19 points (8-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-6 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 31 minutes during Thursday's 113-101 win over the Thunder.

Ayton's highlight from the game was a thundering dunk that earned him a technical foul. He had little difficulty containing rookie Jeremiah Robinson-Earl in the paint, and Ayton's 12 boards helped the Suns win the war off the glass with 52 total rebounds. Thursday's effort marks Ayton's fifth consecutive double-double.

Ayton produced 19 points (9-11 FG, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 27 minutes during Tuesday's 108-90 win over the Lakers.

Ayton only missed two shots during the entire game but also left his mark on the defensive end of the floor, racking up double-digit boards for the fourth game in a row and multiple steals for the second time over that stretch. Ayton is averaging 18.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game while also racking up five double-doubles over seven appearances this month.

Ayton notched 15 points (6-10 FG, 3-4 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists and three blocks in 24 minutes during Sunday's 137-106 victory over the Hornets.

Ayton missed two games due to a non-COVID illness last week, but he's been dominant since returning to the court. He's logged double-doubles in each of his last three appearances while shooting over 50 percent from the floor in each of those contests. During that time, the 23-year-old has averaged 19.3 points and 12.7 rebounds in 31.0 minutes per game.

Ayton closed Thursday's 118-98 win over Washington with 15 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists and one block across 24 minutes.

Ayton finished as one of eight Phoenix players with double-digit scoring in the contest, and he led the team with 10 boards. The double-double was his second straight and 12th overall this season. Ayton is averaging 18.5 points and 10.2 boards while shooting 61.8 percent from the field over his past 11 games.

Ayton (illness) is available for Tuesday's matchup against the Trail Blazers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton has missed the past two games due to an illness, but he's feeling good enough to play Tuesday. Over his past five appearances, he's averaged 17.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in 33.0 minutes.

Ayton (non-COVID illness) is questionable for Tuesday's contest against the Trail Blazers, Jamie Hudson of KOIN 6 News Portland reports.

Ayton has missed back-to-back games due to the illness and is in jeopardy of missing a third. With Jalen Smith (non-COVID illness) and Frank Kaminsky (knee) both out already, JaVale McGee may be in store for a hefty workload if Ayton is unable to go as well.

Ayton (illness) won't play Monday against Los Angeles, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Ayton will miss his second straight contest due to a non-COVID-19-related illness. JaVale McGee figures to draw another start at center in Ayton's absence.

Ayton (non-COVID illness) is questionable for Monday's contest against the Clippers, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The fourth-year center missed the Suns' last contest and was held out of practice Saturday, indicating that he might not just be ready to return to Phoenix's lineup. JaVale McGee figures to start once again if Ayton is held out. If the Arizona product ultimately can't suit up, his next chance to return comes Tuesday in Portland.

Ayton (illness) didn't participate in practice Saturday, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ayton was unavailable for Friday's game against the Celtics due to a non-COVID illness. The 23-year-old wanted to practice Saturday but was sent home since he still wasn't feeling well. Whether he's available for Monday's game against the Clippers remains to be seen.

Ayton (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Celtics, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton will be forced to miss at least one game due to a non-COVID illness. JaVale McGee and Jalen Smith should see increased run in the frontcourt against Boston.

Ayton (non-COVID illness) is questionable for Friday's contest against the Celtics, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The 6-foot-11 center has appeared in 12 straight contests for the Suns, but has popped up as questionable for Friday night's contest against Boston. If Ayton can't suit up, expect JaVale McGee to see the bulk of the minutes at center with Frank Kaminsky (knee) already ruled out for the contest.

Ayton posted 14 points (7-13 FG), nine rebounds, four assists and one block across 35 minutes during Monday's 108-104 victory over the Spurs.

Ayton came close to recording his 11th double-double of the season Monday. Seven of those lines were posted in the past three weeks following a five-game absence. Since his return to action, he's averaged 17.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists over a 12-game span.

Ayton chipped in 17 points (7-11 FG, 3-7 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and one steal over 33 minutes during Thursday's 114-103 win over the Pistons.

The big man finished as one of seven Suns players with double-digit scoring in the team's 18th straight win. He also led Phoenix with 12 boards and registered his fifth double-double in his past six games. Ayton's 16.1 points and 11.5 boards on the campaign are on pace to exceed the production he posted last season.

Ayton notched 24 points (11-19 FG, 2-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 104-96 win over the Warriors.

Ayton looked fantastic in the victory, dominating a much smaller opponent. The Warriors attempted to go small to negate Ayton but unfortunately for them, it failed. After a slow start to the season, Ayton is beginning to get back to the form we saw during the 2021 playoffs. Managers have to be thrilled with his recent production and barring any major shifts, he should continue putting up elite big-man stats on a nightly basis.

Ayton posted 21 points (10-16 FG, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists and one steal in 33 minutes during Monday's 115-111 victory over San Antonio.

Ayton recorded his sixth double-double of the season, and his 33 minutes on the floor are a good indication that the recent lower leg injury that kept him out for over a week is no longer a concern.

Ayton logged 21 points (9-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal over 26 minutes during Sunday's 126-97 win over Denver.

Ayton faded down the stretch in the blowout but still put up a respectable number in the win. The Suns will take no chances with Ayton as they are incredibly thin at his position. He recently missed five games with a leg injury, and they need his services t keep their 12-game win streak going.

Ayton closed with eight points (4-7 FG), 17 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 29 minutes during Friday's 112-104 victory over the Mavericks.

Ayton continues to play well since returning from a five-game injury absence, as he's now totaled 42 rebounds over his last three games alone. Prior to Friday, the big man had notched double-doubles in each of his last five games, so he looks to be moving in the right direction after a semi-slow start to the season. Over his last six appearances, Ayton is putting up 17.2 points, 14.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks and shooting 65.8 percent from the floor. He's down to 57.9 percent at the free throw line for the season, however.

Ayton mustered 19 points (9-13 FG, 1-3 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and one block across 36 minutes during Wednesday's 105-98 win over the Mavericks.

In Ayton's second game back following a five-game absence due to a leg injury, he posted his fifth straight double-double and led the Suns in rebounding. The fourth-year center has averaged a double-double in every season of his NBA career thus far, and he is on his way to replicating that feat this season. Through eight games, he is averaging 15.8 points and 11.6 boards per contest.

Ayton closed with 22 points (10-14 FG, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds and one assist over 33 minutes during Monday's 99-96 win over the Timberwolves.

After missing five games with a lower-leg injury, Ayton returned to the starting lineup and faced no limitations (33 minutes), despite being listed as questionable for most of the day. Ayton set a new season high in scoring and notched double-digit rebounds for the fifth time in seven appearances thus far. The Suns will keep an eye on how Ayton feels Tuesday, but there's no reason to believe he won't be in the lineup for Wednesday's home matchup against Dallas.

Ayton (lower leg) is available for Monday's game at Minnesota, Gerald Bourquet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton missed the past five games with a bruised right lower leg, but he'll make his return to the court Monday. Coach Monty Williams said the 23-year-old won't have an official minutes restriction but still won't play his "normal allotment" of minutes.

Ayton (lower leg) is listed as questionable for Monday's game at Minnesota, Kellan Olson of AZSports reports.

The big man had been listed as doubtful ahead of the last few games, so this appears to be a step in the right direction, but it would still be somewhat of a surprise if he's cleared to play on the second half of a back-to-back set. Ayton has missed six of the last seven games with a bruised lower leg, enabling JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminksy to absorb most of the minutes at center. If Ayton sits again Monday, expect McGee to make his sixth consecutive start.

Ayton (lower leg) is out at Houston on Sunday, according to Gerald Bourquet of GoPHNX.com.

Ayton will have sat out five consecutive Suns games because of a bruise to his lower leg. Considering their previous four matchups, fantasy managers should expect JaVale McGee starting and Frank Kaminsky playing 20-plus minutes off the bench.

Ayton (lower leg) is doubtful at Houston on Sunday, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.

Ayton's availability was doubtful before the Suns' previous three games. Considering he sat out all of them, his fantasy managers should expect a similar result Sunday.

Ayton (lower leg) is out Friday against the Grizzlies, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

As expected, the center will sit out a fourth straight game. JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminsky should continue seeing extra run.

Ayton (lower leg) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Grizzlies.

Ayton has missed the last three games due to a lower leg injury, and he's trending toward a fourth consecutive absence. JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminsky should see additional work if Ayton is ultimately held out.

Ayton (lower leg) will remain out for Wednesday's game against the Blazers, Kellan Olson of Empire of the Suns reports.

This will be the fourth absence in five games -- and third straight -- for the big man, who continue to nurse a bruised lower right leg. The fact that he's already ruled out well in advance of Wednesday's game isn't the most encouraging sign, but the Suns will likely continue to handle his status on a game-by-game basis. Expect JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminsky to once again absorb most of the minutes at center.

Ayton (lower leg) is listed as out for Monday's game against the Kings.

Ayton was listed as doubtful on the initial injury report, so it's not terribly surprising that he's now been ruled out for the second time in the last three games. JaVale McGee started in each of Ayton's previous absences, so that will likely be the case again Monday.

Ayton (lower leg) did not practice Sunday and is looking unlikely to play Monday against the Kings, Gerald Bourquet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton is set to miss his second straight game and his third over his last four contests due to a lower right leg bruise. With him likely out, JaVale McGee should be in line to start again while Frank Kaminsky should also continue to see a higher-leverage role off the bench.

Ayton (lower leg) is out Saturday against the Hawks, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ayton was initially not on the injury report, but he'll sit out Saturday with the right leg bruise that forced him out two games ago. In his absence, Frank Kaminsky and JaVale McGee should see more prominent roles.

Ayton tallied 16 points (8-17 FG), 11 rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot over 26 minutes against Houston in a 123-111 victory Thursday.

The Suns' starting center missed Tuesday's contest due to a lower leg injury, but he was quite active in his return to the lineup Thursday. Notably, he put up a season-high 17 shots and pulled down 11 boards to collect his third straight double-double. Ayton is averaging 14.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game on the campaign.

Ayton (lower leg) is starting Thursday against the Rockets.

Considering he was activated to play Thursday, fantasy managers should not be surprised Ayton is starting. He will play at least 30 minutes if fouls and injuries aren't a concern.

Ayton (lower leg) will play Thursday night against Rockets, Gerald Bourquet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton came in questionable after exiting last Saturday with a right leg contusion. The 6-11 big man missed Tuesday's contest but will return after a one-game absence. Ayton is averaging 13.8 points, 11.4 rebounds 1,4 assists and 1.4 steals in 29.8 minutes per game this season and should be back to his usual role unless the game gets out of hand.

Ayton (lower leg) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Rockets, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton was forced to miss Tuesday's game against the Pelicans due to a right leg contusion and his status for Thursday's game is questionable at this time. If he can't go, JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminsky would likely see increased minutes at center for the Suns.

Ayton (lower leg) is out Tuesday against the Pelicans, Gerald Bourquet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ayton will miss his first game of the season due to a bruised leg. In his absence, JaVale McGee, Frank Kaminsky and Jalen Smith are all candidates to see more minutes.

Ayton (leg) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Pelicans, Gerald Bourquet of FanSided.com reports.

Ayton was diagnosed with a right lower leg contusion after leaving Saturday's win over Cleveland. If he's unable to return Tuesday, JaVale McGee and Jalen Smith should see increased workloads.

Ayton left Saturday's game against Cleveland with a right leg contusion and will not return.

The initial diagnosis of a bruise doesn't make it sound like Ayton will miss too much time, but he's yet to be given an official timeline. He'll get at least two days to rest, as the Suns don't take the court again until Tuesday against the Pelicans. Ayton recorded 17 points and 12 rebounds before exiting the game.

Ayton had 21 points (9-12 FG, 3-4 FT), 21 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 34 minutes during Wednesday's 110-107 loss to the Kings.

Ayton had his best game of the season to date, combining with Devon Booker to score almost half of the total points for the Suns. It's been a slow start for Ayton who is currently performing well below his preseason ADP. Coming off an impressive playoff run, fantasy managers can be excused for perhaps reaching a bit during their drafts. The hope is that he will be able to increase his nightly production, at least to the point where he is returning value.

Ayton finished Wednesday's preseason win over the Lakers with 14 points (6-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one block.

In a postseason rematch, Ayton and the Suns got the best of the LeBron James and Russell Westbrook-less Lakers. In 22 minutes of action, Ayton led all players in rebounds while hitting six of his 12 field goal attempts. Entering his fourth NBA season, Ayton will look to build on the upswell of momentum he established during the postseason. During the Suns' 22-game run to the Finals, Ayton averaged 15.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals while shooting 65.8 percent from the field.

Ayton finished Saturday's Game 5 NBA Finals loss to the Bucks with 20 points (7-12 FG, 6-6 FT), 10 rebounds, two blocked shots and one steal over 45 minutes.

The center has excelled on the boards in the Finals, averaging 13.2 rebounds per game. He bounced back from a six-point scoring effort in Game 4 with 20 points Saturday, his second-highest scoring total of the series. Ayton is shooting 57.7 percent from the field and 94.1 percent from the charity stripe through the first five games of the Finals, and he has rounded out the superb percentages with 15.2 points, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in addition to his big numbers on the boards.

Ayton finished Wednesday's Game 4 against the Bucks with six points (3-9 FG), 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

Ayton wasn't a major factor in the offense on a night when Devin Booker accounted for 28 of the Suns' 78 field-goal attempts as a team. Ayton's six points snapped a 13-game double-digit scoring streak, though he continues to pile up rebounds at an alarming rate. Dating back to Game 4 against the Clippers, Ayton has double-digit boards in six of his last seven appearances. His five assists in Game 4 were his most in any game since January of 2020.

Ayton recorded 18 points (8-11 FG, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes during Sunday's Game 3 loss to the Bucks.

Ayton had an excellent per-minute performance in Game 3, but most of his teammates struggled as the Bucks secured a 20-point win that involved plenty of garbage time. With Sunday's effort, Ayton increased his double-digit scoring streak to 13 games. During this stretch -- which started with Game 1 of the second-round series against Denver -- Ayton is averaging 16.5 points on 66.0 percent shooting, 12.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks in 35.7 minutes.

Ayton closed with 22 points (8-10 FG, 6-6 FT), 19 rebounds and one steal in 39 minutes during Tuesday's 118-105 victory over the Bucks.

Ayton continues to thrive in what has been a breakout playoff series thus far. While he did fail to record a block, his impression was all over the defensive end with his mere presence certainly impacting a number of Bucks' shot attempts. Brook Lopez does not have the speed or athleticism to match Ayton and so the Bucks may opt to go with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the center spot. This was a strategy they employed down the stretch in Game 1 and despite the loss, it did appear to have some merit.

Ayton closed with 16 points (8-10 FG, 0-2 FT), 17 rebounds, two blocks and one assist in 40 minutes during Wednesday's 130-103 victory over the Clippers.

Ayton finished the series just like he started it, helping propel the Suns to the NBA Finals where they will face either the Bucks or the Hawks. It's been a tale of two cities for Ayton when comparing his regular season and playoff production. He has been able to play with consistency and vigour, something that eluded him for much of the year. His play has certainly made many people sit up and take notice and depending on how things play out over the next two weeks, his fantasy ADP could begin to climb prior to draft season.

Ayton tallied 10 points (5-9 FG), 11 rebounds, one assists, one steal and one block in 36 minutes during Monday's 116-102 loss to the Clippers.

The 22-year-old took a step back after scoring 19 points and grabbing a season-high 22 rebounds Saturday, but he still managed to record his 10th double-double of the playoffs. Ayton has been a force in the Western Conference Finals, averaging 18.2 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 0.8 steals over his last five games. The third-year center will look to keep up his dominant play in Game 6 on Wednesday.

Ayton registered 19 points (8-14 FG, 3-3 FT), 22 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and a steal across 41 minutes in Saturday's win over the Clippers.

Ayton registered his second double-double of the series and pulled down a playoff-high 22 rebounds in a game where he made his presence felt on both ends of the court despite dealing with Ivica Zubac all game long. Ayton is averaging 20.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in the series against the Clippers.

Ayton finished with 18 points (9-13 FG, 0-1 FT), nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal across 36 minutes in Thursday's loss against the Clippers.

Ayton ended one rebound shy of posting a double-double for the second time over his last three games and while he didn't make a huge impact as he did in Game 2, he still provided decent numbers on both ends of the court. This was just his second game with multiple blocks in the current postseason run and has also scored at least 18 points in each of the three games of the current series. Plus, Ayton has been shooting exceptionally well from the floor and has made 72.3 percent of his field-goal attempts since the start of the playoffs.

Ayton scored 24 points (12-15 FG, 0-1 FT) while adding 14 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block across 35 minutes in Tuesday's Game 2 win over the Clippers.

Ayton had a couple of posterizing dunks over Ivica Zubac and dominated the paint during the entire game, as he delivered another efficient performance on the offensive end of the court. However, his best moment came in the final seconds of the game, as he caught an inbound pass to sink the game-winning shot in an alley-oop with less than one second on the clock. Ayton has four double-doubles over his last six games and has scored at least 20 points three times during that span.

Ayton finished Sunday's Game 1 win over the Clippers with 20 points (10-14 FG), nine rebounds and two assists.

The third-year big man has played his role nearly perfectly in the postseason, operating as a high-volume rebounder and ultra-efficient finisher at the rim for a Suns team that's now reeled off eight consecutive victories. Ayton's 10 made field goals were his most since Game 3 against the Lakers in Round 1, and he narrowly missed what would have been his fourth double-double in the last five games. If DFS managers have one complaint, however, it's likely Ayton's lack of defensive production (one block, two steals in his last seven games).

Ayton finished Friday's Game 3 win over Denver with 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-2 FT) and 15 rebounds.

Outside of Game 1 (20 points), Ayton hasn't been extremely involved on the offensive end, but he's managed to post a double-double in all three games. He has seven double-doubles in nine postseason games, overall, though in terms of fantasy production, he hasn't contributed much in other areas. In the Denver series, Ayton has only two assists, one steal and zero blocks in 99 minutes.

Ayton had 15 points (6-10 FG, 3-4 FT) and 10 rebounds in Wednesday's Game 2 win over the Nuggets.

The big man had a tepid finish to the first-round series against the Lakers, but he's come out with much more aggression in Round 2, posting double-doubles in each of the first two matchups. In a game that turned into a blowout midway through the second half, Ayton needed only 26 minutes to post his fifth double-double in eight playoff games.

Ayton ended with 20 points (9-13 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds and one steal in 36 minutes during Tuesday's 122-105 victory over Denver.

Ayton certainly held his own against Nikola Jokic, walking away from the victory with another double-double. After a somewhat disappointing regular season, Ayton has been able to take his game to another level thus far in the playoffs and that continued development is going to be key if the Suns are to make it to the Western Conference Finals.

Ayton had eight points (2-3 FG, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds and two assists across 27 minutes in Tuesday's win over the Lakers.

Ayton had recorded a double-double in each of the Suns' four previous playoff games, but that streak finally came to an end in this one -- though it was also the first game of the series where he didn't play at least 30 minutes. Through five postseason appearances, the star big man is averaging 17.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 80 percent from the field.

Ayton posted 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-5 FT), 17 rebounds, two steals and a block across 38 minutes in Sunday's win over the Lakers.

Ayton has been the Suns' best player by a wide margin during the team's current playoff run, with four double-doubles in an equal number of games and also providing value through defensive stats. Even though this was the first time Ayton couldn't hit the 20-point plateau in the series, the 17-rebound output marks a playoff-high mark for him. He's averaging 19.8 points and 13.5 rebounds per game so far in four postseason appearances.

Ayton had 22 points (11-15 FG, 0-1 3FT), 11 boards and two blocks in Thursday's Game 3 loss to the Lakers.

Despite the size of the Lakers' front line, Ayton continues to feast on Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond and Marc Gasol, as he's now averaging 21.7 points on a jaw-dropping 82.1 percent shooting for the series. Ayton has racked up three consecutive double-doubles, and he notched both a block and a steal in the same game for the first time in five contests (May 9 at LAL).

Ayton mustered 22 points (11-13 FG), 10 rebounds and an assist in Tuesday's loss to the Lakers.

Ayton has recorded double-doubles in his first two playoff appearances and has been extremely efficient as well, missing just three of his 24 field-goal attempts over those two appearances. The third-year center has taken his play to another level in the playoffs considering he only averaged 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game during the regular season.

Ayton scored 21 points (10-11 FG, 1-2 FT), grabbed 16 boards and swatted one shot over 37 minutes in a 99-90 victory in Game 1 of the Suns' first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Sunday.

Ayton dominated the Lakers' big men Sunday, finishing with his highest rebound total since March 23 and missing only one field-goal attempt en route to 21 points. The offensive output was a nice development after Ayton finished with single-digit scoring in three of his last four regular-season contests. The third-year center figures to be matched up against both Andre Drummond and Anthony Davis at times throughout the series, so his ability to produce would be a big boon toward the Suns' chances of advancing beyond the first round.

Ayton (knee) isn't listed on the injury report for Sunday's Game 1 against the Lakers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

The 22-year-old sat out the final three games of the regular season with knee soreness, but he's good to go for the start of the playoffs. Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 blocks in 30.7 minutes over 69 games this season.

Coach Monty Williams suggested Tuesday that Ayton (knee) is on track to be available for the Suns' postseason opener Sunday, Gerald Bourquet of FanSided.com reports. "We're doing everything we can to have those guys ready for the playoffs," said Williams.

Ayton sat out the final three games of the regular season due to knee soreness, but that rest plus the added rest this week appears to have put him on a good path for the playoffs. The big man has been a key cog for the Suns this season, averaging 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds over 30.7 minutes in his 69 appearances during the regular season.

Ayton (knee) will not play in Sunday's game against the Spurs, Duane Rankin of AZCentral reports.

Ayton's knee issue is not believed to be anything too serious, but this will be his third straight absence as the regular season wraps up. The Suns will have nearly a full week before the start of the playoffs, however, so Ayton should have a good chance to be closer to 100 percent for the start of Round 1.

Ayton (knee) will not play Saturday against the Spurs, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.

Left knee soreness will force Ayton to miss a second straight game. Dario Saric got the start in Ayton's first absence and is likely to do so again.

Ayton (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Spurs.

Ayton missed his first game of the season Thursday against the Trail Blazers with left knee soreness but has a good chance at returning to the lineup Saturday. Across 69 outings with the Suns this year, Ayton is averaging 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Ayton (knee) will not play Thursday against Portland, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton will be sidelined for the first time all year due to soreness in his left knee. It's a bit concerning that the knee issue is happening so close to the playoffs, but the team may simply be opting to rest the starting center with more important games coming soon. Dario Saric, Frank Kaminsky and Jalen Smith could all see increased workloads Thursday.

Ayton is questionable for Thursday's contest against the Trail Blazers due to left knee soreness, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Ayton is a late addition to the injury report. His performances have taken a downturn lately. over the past nine games, he's averaged 10.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 blocks in 30.4 minutes. If he sits out Thursday, more minutes could be available for Dario Saric, Frank Kaminsky and Jalen Smith.

Ayton scored eight points (4-5 FG), grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots in 32 minutes during Tuesday's 122-116 loss to the Warriors.

Ayton has been an efficient, but sporadic scorer all season, and that trend continued Tuesday. With the clear height/size advantage against the Warriors, Ayton appeared to have a decent matchup, but he failed to assert himself offensively. However, the big man still did his work on the glass, snagging eight rebounds. He also recorded two blocks, extending his block streak to six games.

Ayton had 26 points (10-14 FG, 6-6 FT) and 15 rebounds in Friday's win over the Knicks.

Two nights after a lackluster outing in a loss to Atlanta, Ayton bounced back with his most combined points and rebounds in any game since Jan. 20. Ayton needed only 29 minutes to dominate the box score, and he also chipped in an assist, a steal and a block.

Ayton collected 15 points (7-10 FG, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, five blocks, one assist and one steal in a 134-118 victory over the Cavaliers on Tuesday.

Ayton continued his strong interior defense by matching his season-high block total and swatting three-plus shots for the second consecutive game. Despite averaging just 9.0 points across his last five contests, the center has still put up productive fantasy numbers due to his 9.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game over that span.

Ayton tallied five points (2-8 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals across 28 minutes in Wednesday's win against the Clippers.

Ayton struggled on offense in the victory, but he led all players with 11 boards. He has finished each of his past two contests with less than 10 points but has corralled a total of 24 rebounds over those games. He remains a steady center in fantasy leagues with per-game averages of 14.8 points, 10.8 boards and 1.1 blocks. He is also shooting a career-best 62.0 percent from the field and 76.1 percent from the charity stripe.

Ayton produced 20 points (9-12 FG, 2-4 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals across 33 minutes in Sunday's 128-119 loss to the Nets.

For the Suns to make the leap into the highest echelon of elite teams, Ayton's ability to grow into his role is key to their success. Ayton has played well against a wide array of big men but has struggled against some of the marquee centers of the league, with the team's recent loss to the Sixers as a prime example. He's managed double-doubles opposite Bam Adebayo and Clint Capela in recent weeks, however.

Ayton went for 10 points (5-8 FG), nine rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 34 minutes Thursday in the 99-86 loss to the Celtics.

Ayton has struggled of late, scoring 10 or fewer points and grabbing less than 10 rebounds in three of his last four games. Despite the shortage of points, Ayton has still shot 58.3 percent from the field though it's come on just 9.0 shots per contest. In his seven outings prior, Ayton averaged 20.0 points and 10.7 rebounds on 12.1 shots per game.

Ayton scored 20 points (8-11 FG, 4-4 FT) to go along with 13 rebounds, two assists and one block across 40 minutes in Monday's win over the Bucks.

Like many Suns, Ayton had seen his minutes managed of late, but was left on the floor as the team sought a victory in this marquee matchup. He reached 40 minutes for only the second time this season and managed 20 points for the fifth time in his last 17 contests. Ayton has chipped in across the box score of late, averaging 18.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks while shooting 73.6 percent from the field and 76.5 percent from the free-throw line across his last five games.

Ayton posted 19 points (8-10 FG, 3-4 FT), 13 rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot across 27 minutes in Tuesday's 106-86 victory over Miami.

Ayton isn't often the Suns' best scorer, but with stars Devin Booker and Chris Paul both struggling from the field Tuesday, the big man stepped up to pace the squad with 19 points. Ayton also grabbed 13 rebounds to log his 29th double-double of the campaign. Five of those have come over his past six games, during which he's averaging 19.0 points, 10.7 boards, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks while shooting 70.3 percent from the field.

Ayton mustered 18 points (9-13 FG, 0-3 FT), eight rebounds, three steals and a block across 30 minutes in Monday's win over the Rockets.

Ayton ended just two rebounds shy of putting up what would've been his fifth straight double-double, and the third-year big man has taken his play to a whole new level over the last few weeks. He is averaging 15.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game across 20 games since the beginning of March.

Ayton had 14 points (7-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 10 rebounds, two steals and an assist across 25 minutes in Saturday's win over the Wizards.

Ayton was efficient from the field and pushed his double-digit streak to four games, though he's scored 20 or more points just once during that stretch. The talented big man is having a career-worst year according to several metrics, but he's been trending in the right direction of late due to his ability to snag double-doubles on a nightly basis. Through his last 10 games, Ayton is averaging 16.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per tilt.

Ayton had 18 points (9-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 10 rebounds, three assists and a block across 32 minutes in Thursday's loss against the Clippers.

Ayton might have ended with a third straight double-double, but what was even more impressive is the fact that he missed just two of his 11 shot attempts. Ayton seems to be set for a bigger role during the stretch run of the regular season, as he has now gone three straight games with at least nine field goals made.

Ayton collected 27 points (10-14 FG, 7-8 FT), 11 rebounds, two blocks and one assist in a 133-130 victory over the Rockets on Monday.

Ayton picked up his 25th double-double of the season while also blocking multiple shots for the second time in his last three games. The center had been quiet offensively in the three games prior to Monday's contest, averaging just 7.7 shot attempts and 3.0 free throw attempts per game, so it was good to see the big man more involved and looking for his shot. Over his last eight games, Ayton is averaging 16.3 points and 10.5 rebounds on 64.3 percent shooting, so he doesn't need a lot of touches on offense to make an impact.

Ayton recorded 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 32 minutes during Wednesday's 121-116 win over the Bulls.

Ayton's 10 points were his fewest since March 19, and his four rebounds tied a season low. He's been an efficient scorer and solid rebounder this season, but both his minutes and shot attempts are down compared to last year. With so much of the offensive focus going through Chris Paul and Devin Booker, there will be some nights that Ayton doesn't have an opportunity to get his.

Ayton totaled 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-5 FT) and 14 rebounds across 30 minutes in Tuesday's 117-110 win over the Hawks.

For the second straight game, Ayton corralled 14 boards to help guide Phoenix to a win. The third-year center ranks 12th in the league with 24 double-doubles on the campaign and is shooting a career-best 61.0 percent from the field.

Ayton registered 14 points (6-11 FG), 2-2 FT) and 14 rebounds in 33 minutes during Sunday's 101-97 overtime victory over the Hornets.

The 22-year-old didn't produce a single defensive stat, but he managed to pull off his 23rd double-double of the season. Coming into Sunday's game, Ayton was averaging a career-low 14.8 points but has made up for it by posting career highs in field-goal (61.1) and free-throw (76.3) shooting. The third-year center should continue hovering between 30-35 minutes a game while producing elite field-goal percentage and rebounds along with decent points and blocks the rest of the way.

Ayton totaled 19 points (9-12 FG, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, two blocks and one assist over 29 minutes Friday in the victory over the Raptors.

Ayton's production has been solid over his last four games. He's hit greater than 65 percent of his shots in each while scoring no less than 17 points. Ayton has also grabbed at least eight boards over that span while blocking a total of seven shots.

Ayton scored 17 points (8-12 FG, 1-1 FT) to go along with 16 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in a 110-100 victory over Miami on Tuesday.

Ayton collected his second double-double since returning from the All-Star break seven games ago and now has 22 on the year. The center was very efficient from the field Tuesday and has been shooting at a very high clip all month, making 62.6 percent of his shot attempts. Ayton also played solid defense, blocking at least three shots for just the fifth time this season.

Ayton recorded 26 points (10-13 FG, 6-7 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one block Sunday in a 111-94 home win against the Lakers.

It was the second time this season that Ayton made at least 10 field goals and five free throws. He may be serving as a tertiary scoring option (behind Devin Booker and Chris Paul) but possesses elite potential with his talent. Ayton is currently one of only four NBA players averaging 14.0 points and shooting over 60.0 percent from the field this season.

Ayton tallied 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot across 26 minutes in Thursday's 123-119 loss to the Timberwolves.

Those who took Ayton over Karl-Anthony Towns in this matchup followed reasonable logic, but they found themselves very disappointed in the outcome. It was a tale of opposites for Ayton, who could not get anything going and could only look on while Towns decimated Phoenix's frontcourt. Getting in foul trouble didn't help matters, as Dario Saric couldn't do much in Ayton's stead either. In his third season, Ayton still finds himself on a bit of a learning curve when facing a floor-stretching big man like Towns, but he still has all the tools to become an elite center in the league.

Ayton turned in 15 points (6-9 FG, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals across 28 minutes in Monday's 122-99 win over the Grizzlies.

Ayton would have likely recorded a double-double if the game had stayed close, but he eventually took a seat once the Suns took over in the second half. Ayton has matured into one of the premier big men in the Western Conference and has exhibited some fearless play against the league's best frontcourts. He currently ranks ninth in scoring among centers with 14.4 points per game and seventh in rebounds with 11.2 rebounds per game.

Ayton had 14 points (7-10 FG, 0-2 FT), 12 rebounds and two blocks in Saturday's loss to the Pacers.

Ayton remains a nightly double-double threat, but his workload is on a concerning trend of late, as he's now played fewer than 30 minutes in five straight games. He's still managed to score in double-figures in all five, but his fantasy upside will be limited if coach Monty Williams continues to pull back on his minutes.

Ayton tallied 11 points (5-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one block across 22 minutes Thursday in a 120-98 win over the Warriors.

Ayton played his season low of 22 minutes but logged the double-double despite being given limited playing time. The Suns dominated Golden State on Thursday and deployed their bench unit while allowing starters to rest. Ayton will head into the All-Star break with averages of 14.5 points and 11.4 rebounds across 35 games.

Ayton recorded 22 points (9-11 FG, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal Sunday in a 118-99 win at Minnesota.

Ayton supplied one of his best double-doubles Sunday. It was only Ayton's second (besides his Jan. 22 double-double at Denver) in which he posted 20 points, 10 rebounds and zero turnovers. He will finish the month of February with averages of 14.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, down from his 16.2 PPG and 13.2 RPG during January.

Ayton finished with 22 points (10-17 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and three blocks through 33 minutes during the 106-97 win over Chicago on Friday.

Ayton put up a third successful outing after his mediocre night against Memphis nights ago. The center has not performed up to expectations as many would have thought. After posing career high numbers only a year ago, many thought Ayton would take the next big leap this year. Even though it has not happened, he is still providing at high clips. So far this season he is averaging 14 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.3 steals and 1.1 blocks through 31.6 minutes which is just under his averages from last year. He is still a great option at the position and continues to big the star big for Phoenix.

Ayton supplied 16 points (5-8 FG, 6-8 FT), 10 rebounds, an assist and a block across 32 minutes in Wednesday's loss against the Hornets.

Ayton was coming off two subpar performances, but he bounced back here to deliver his 22nd double-double of the season. The third-year big man is having a down year and is in route to average a career-low in scoring, but he has supplied that by averaging 11.8 rebounds per game -- a figure that would be a career-best for him.

Ayton registered 19 points (8-11 FG, 3-3 FT), five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal for Phoenix, in a 132-100 victory over Portland on Monday.

Ayton dominated both ends of the floor in a blowout victory by making 72.7 percent of his shots and playing great defense as well. The Suns were a plus-25 with Ayton on the floor as Portland didn't have anyone to guard the center down low. Phoenix has won nine-of-10, and Ayton has averaged 13.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 blocks over that stretch.

Ayton recorded 16 points (7-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt), 16 rebounds, two assists and a block across 35 minutes in Friday's win over the Pelicans.

Ayton endured a slow start to the season and while his numbers are still a bit below the expectations for a player of his caliber, he has managed to score in double digits in seven straight games while posting four double-doubles in that span. He's a legit double-double threat on a nightly basis and is averaging 13.2 points and 11.9 rebounds per game in 10 February appearances.

Ayton scored 16 points (7-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and grabbed nine rebounds in a loss to the Nets on Tuesday.

Ayton ranks in the top 10 leaguewide with a 59.0 field-goal percentage, though he is averaging only 13.9 points per game due to a reduction of over four shot attempts per contest in comparison to last season. The young center continues to put up strong numbers on the boards and offers a moderate number of blocked shots, but fantasy managers who roster Ayton are likely down on his scoring output considering the fact that he averaged 18.2 points per game in 2019-20.

Ayton accumulated 10 points (5-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 13 rebounds and one assist over 30 minutes in the victory over the Magic on Sunday.

It was the first time in three games the 2018 No. 1 overall pick picked up a double-double. On the defensive side, he's now failed to log a steal in eight February games and hasn't blocked a shot in three straight games. While he's averaging career-lows in points, assists and steals; his 12.3 rebounds per game is at a career-high.

Ayton tallied 11 points (5-6 FG, 1-2 FT) and six rebounds across 27 minutes in a 120-111 victory over the 76ers on Saturday.

Ayton had one of his quietest efforts of the campaign, though Phoenix nonetheless pulled out its fifth straight win. He didn't collect any defensive stats for the second straight game, and his overall per-game averages of one block and 0.3 steals are each well below last season's numbers. Still, the big man is averaging a career-high 12.3 rebounds and scoring 14.0 points per game, so he remains one of the league's most promising young centers.

Ayton provided 15 points (7-11 FG, 1-2 FT), 16 rebounds, three blocked shots and two assists across 37 minutes in Monday's 119-113 win over the Cavaliers.

Ayton faced an uphill battle against Andre Drummond Monday, a player he has struggled against throughout his career. Ayton flipped the script with an excellent stat line in the win. Although their numbers were about the same, Ayton outclassed Drummond with a renewed aggressiveness under the basket, a quality that has sometimes eluded the talented youngster.

Ayton produced 16 points (7-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot across 39 minutes in Sunday's 100-91 win over the Celtics.

Ayton received a stern talking-to from coach Monty Williams in the fourth quarter, and he ended the game with a couple of buckets and a blocked shot. Before the time-out, Ayton displayed some sluggishness around the rim and lacked focus, so the animated exchange was likely about Ayton's lack of hustle. It's an issue that's followed Ayton throughout his career, but there's no denying that he has what it takes to be one of the league's best big men. He's averaging 13.9 points and 12.8 rebounds this season, but if previous season averages are any indication, he's due for an increase in scoring over the long haul.

Ayton totaled 13 points (6-9 FG, 1-1 FT) and 11 rebounds in a loss to New Orleans on Wednesday.

Ayton entered the contest having grabbed 13 or more boards in eight straight games. While that streak came to an end, he stretched his run of double-doubles to eight in his last nine games, including each of his last four. Ayton was also the Suns' second-leading scorer in the contest with 13 points. The big man is posting per-game averages of 14.2 points, 12.8 boards and 1.1 blocks this season while shooting 57.3 percent from the field and 71.2 percent from the charity stripe.

Ayton had 10 points (5-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 17 rebounds, an assist and a block across 33 minutes in Monday's win over the Mavericks.

Ayton posted one of his lowest scoring outputs of the season, but he evened things up by tying his season-high mark for rebounds -- he has now grabbed 17 boards in three separate games during the current campaign. Despite the activity on the boards, this has been a subpar season for Ayton, who has failed to reach the 15-point mark in three of his last five appearances while scoring 20 or more points just four times. If he doesn't turn things around soon, he's on track to end the season with a career-worst mark in points.

Ayton produced 18 points (8-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 17 rebounds, four assists and a steal across 39 minutes in Saturday's 111-105 win over Dallas.

Ayton has now outdueled fellow 2018 draftee Luka Doncic in seven of eight contests. Although Ayton's floor has fluctuated this season, his string of double-doubles is a great indication of his upside in the right matchup. With Kristaps Porzingis taking a night off, Ayton used his size and speed to dominate the paint. His 17 rebounds on Saturday were Ayton's best totals of the year.

Ayton posted 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists and a steal across 23 minutes in Thursday's win over the Warriors.

Ayton had a run of four straight games with 17 or more points between Jan. 18 and Jan. 23, a span in which he also posted four double-doubles, and he accomplished that feat once again here. Ayton's scoring numbers have not been on par with what he did over his first two seasons in the league, but he continues to be an elite rebounder and has grabbed 12.8 boards per game in 12 January appearances, all of them as a starter.

Ayton notched five points (2-7 FG, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds and a steal across 35 minutes in Wednesday's loss against the Thunder.

Ayton had scored 17 or more points in four straight and showed signs of leaving his slow start to the season behind, but he struggled massively from the field in this one and ended with his second-worst scoring output of the campaign. Ayton has scored fewer than 10 points in five of his 16 contests this season, and while he remains a force on the glass and on the defensive end of the court, it's not a secret that his scoring figures are limiting his upside, as he is currently averaging a career-worst 14.3 points per game.

Ayton totaled 17 points (7-14 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 13 rebounds and two blocked shots across 38 minutes in Saturday's double-overtime loss to the Suns.

Ayton fouled out in the first overtime, likely contributing to Nikola Jokic's scoring surge (12 points) in the extra periods. Nonetheless, Ayton paced Phoenix with 13 boards and registered his fourth straight double-double. Over that four-game span, the big man has posted per-game averages of 22.0 points, 14.8 boards and 2.0 blocks.

Ayton registered 27 points (11-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 13 rebounds, an assist and a steal across 37 minutes in Friday's overtime loss against the Nuggets.

Ayton was coming off a 26-point, 17-rebound, five-block performance against the Rockets on Wednesday, and he delivered an even better scoring output while registering his eighth double-double of the campaign. Ayton delivered quite a few subpar performances in the opening weeks of the season, but he seems to be turning things around of late and fantasy managers should continue to trust him going forward.

Ayton finished with 26 points (11-15 FG, 4-4 FT), 17 rebounds, five blocks and three assists in 36 minutes during Wednesday's 109-103 victory over the Rockets.

Ayton turned in what was easily his best performance of the season, putting up an impressive double-double. It was certainly a welcome sight for his managers who have been dealing with sub-par production on what must seem a nightly basis. The Suns have improved in a number of areas this season, resulting in reduced scoring numbers for both Ayton and Devin Booker. This could very well be the pinnacle for Ayton this season, although perhaps it is simply a launching pad to better days ahead.

Ayton scored 18 points (7-14 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT) to go with 16 rebounds, three assists and one block across 35 minutes in a 108-104 loss to Memphis on Monday.

Ayton bounced back on offense after scoring just eight points in two straight games. The center is averaging a double-double in his third straight season but has seen a significant scoring decline early in the season, down nearly six points per game this year.

Ayton's matchup against the Pacers on Saturday has been postponed, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Saturday marks the third consecutive game that the Suns have had postponed. The next opportunity for Phoenix to play arrives Monday against the Grizzlies.

Ayton and the Suns will not play the Warriors on Friday, as the game has been postponed, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

The Suns had Wednesday's game against the Hawks postponed as well. Ayton's next chance to take the court will be Saturday against the Pacers.

Wednesday's matchup between the Suns and the Hawks has been postponed.

As has been the case multiple times this season, at least one of the two teams does not have the required eight available players for the game to be played. The Suns' next game is scheduled for Friday against the Warriors in Phoenix.

Ayton had just eight points (4-10 FG) and six rebounds in Monday's loss to the Wizards.

It was an awful all-around game for Phoenix, which lost to a vastly inferior opponent for the second time in four nights. Ayton has now scored 14 points or fewer in four consecutive games, and he's attempted only four total free throws during that span. On the year, Ayton is averaging 12.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game (30.2 MPG) -- down from 18.2 points and 11.5 boards a year ago (32.5 MPG).

Ayton scored 14 points (7-8 FG, 0-3 FT) while adding 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 37 minutes during Friday's 110-105 overtime loss to the Pistons.

The 22-year-old center recorded his second straight double-double and fifth in nine games to begin the season. Ayton is also averaging a double-double, something he's done every year since he turned pro, but as yet his production hasn't taken any kind of big leap forward in his third NBA campaign.

Ayton had 11 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-1 FT) and 16 boards in Wednesday's win over Toronto.

It was the fourth double-double of the season for Ayton, who's off to a relatively quiet, yet effective start to the 2020-21 campaign. The big man struggled with foul trouble again Wednesday, but more concerningly he only got to the free throw line once. Ayton has attempted two or fewer free throws in five of eight games thus far.

Ayton finished with 24 points (9-12 FG, 6-7 FT), eight boards, two assists, and one steal in 30 minutes of a 112-107 loss to the Clippers on Sunday.

Ayton fell just short of recording his fourth double-double of the season, while finishing second on his team in points in the contest. The third year vet is off to a hot start in 2021, scoring more than 20 points while shooting at least 75 percent from the field in his last two games. He'll next face the Raptors on Wednesday.

Ayton scored 22 points (10-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and grabbed 11 rebounds while swatting a pair of shots in a win over the Nuggets on Friday.

After producing only four points against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz on Thursday, Ayton bounced back with a season-high 22 points while making 10 of 13 shots from the field in Friday's victory. He also collected 11 boards to register his third double-double in his last four contests.

Ayton had four points (2-8 FG), nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 28 minutes during Thursday's 106-95 loss to Utah.

The 22-year-old averaged 11.5 points and 11.8 rebounds through the first four games of the season, but he wasn't a significant factor in the offense Thursday. Ayton's scoring numbers are down significantly early in the 2020-21 campaign (10.0 PPG) after averaging 17.0 points across his first two NBA seasons.

Ayton recorded 13 points (6-11 FG, 101 FT), 12 rebounds and a blocked shot across 26 minutes in Tuesday's 111-84 win over the Pelicans.

Ayton picked up the slack inside on a night where Devin Booker and Chris Paul were uncharacteristically absent offensively. Even with the offensive deficiencies, the Suns still beat the Pelicans handily, which is a testament to Phoenix's depth throughout the roster. Expectations are high for Ayton in his third season, and he's expected to average a double-double as he did in his two previous seasons in the league.

Ayton had 11 points (5-11 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 15 rebounds and four assists in Sunday's win against the Kings.

Foul trouble forced Ayton to play just 24 minutes in his season debut, but he fared much better during Phoenix's two-game set at Sacramento. The center averaged 10.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists across 29.5 minutes.

Ayton scored nine points (3-5 FG, 3-5 FT) to go with 12 rebounds, two assists, a block, and two turnovers in 30 minutes of Saturday's 106-103 loss to Sacramento.

Ayton was efficient from the floor, but didn't see a ton of volume as he finished one point shy of a double-double. The big man did lead the Suns with 12 rebounds, but his usage takes a bit of a hit this year with the addition of Chris Paul to the roster.

Ayton tallied 12 points (6-9 FG) and six rebounds over 27 minutes in a loss to the Lakers on Friday.

Ayton's performance was more subdued than in Wednesday's meeting between the same squads during which he produced 21 points, nine boards and four steals, but he nonetheless tied for second on the team with both his 12 points and six rebounds. The center should continue to be a nightly double-double threat in his third season in the league, which officially begins Wednesday versus Dallas.

Ayton had 21 points (8-10 FG, 5-5 FT), nine rebounds, four steals and an assist in a 112-107 preseason loss versus the Lakers on Wednesday.

Ayton made all of his shots in the first and third quarters, seven of which were from the paint. Performances like these will be consistently demanded from the center, especially with All-Star guards Devin Booker and Chris Paul solidifying Phoenix's backcourt.

Ayton compiled11 points (5-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds and three assists across 22 minutes in Saturday's 119-105 loss to the Jazz,

It's a pivotal season for Ayton. An otherwise encouraging beginning was mired by a 25-game suspension in his sophomore season. To rise to the top echelon of big men, he needs to stay out of trouble and remain healthy. When he's dialed in, he's an All-Star in the making, and one look at his numbers in the Orlando bubble is all the evidence you need. He averaged 15 points and 9.5 rebounds over eight games in the bubble, and during the regular season, he often exceeded these numbers. With Chris Paul now directing the offense, Ayton has all the tools for a breakout year.

Ayton notched eight points (4-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 12 rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes during Tuesday's win over the 76ers.

Ayton returned to the starting lineup and while he failed to score in double digits for the second time in seven bubble games, he grabbed 12 boards for the third time since the league resumed. Ayton didn't start Monday after missing a mandatory COVID-19 test but after returning to the starting unit here, he should remain in this role as he's been one of Phoenix's most important, consistent players all season long.

Ayton finished Monday's game against the Thunder with 10 points (5-10 FG) and six rebounds in 17 minutes.

Ayton arrived late to the game after missing a COVID-19 test, but he started the second quarter and gave the Suns a solid effort off the bench. In Ayton's 17 minutes, the Suns outscored the Thunder by 22 points.

Ayton was on the floor to begin the second quarter of Monday's game against the Thunder.

It was a whirlwind start to the day for Ayton, who missed his COVID-19 test on Sunday and had to pass another rest Monday morning before being cleared to play. He arrived late to the arena and warmed up on a stationary bike before entering the game to begin the second period.

Ayton has arrived at the arena and is riding a stationary bike to warm up, Duane Rankin of AZCentral reports.

A late arrival after missing a COVID-19 test, Ayton rushed to the arena after taking and passing another test Monday morning. The Suns started Dario Saric in his place, but Ayton is dressed and available should coach Monty Williams call his number. The No. 1 pick in 2018 is coming off of a pair of double-doubles in his last two games, including a 23-point, 10-rebound, four-block performance in a win over the Pacers on Thursday.

Updating a previous note, Ayton passed his COVID-19 test and is on his way to join the Suns for Monday's game against the Thunder, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

The game is set to tip off at any moment, so Ayton -- who missed Sunday's COVID-19 test and had to be re-tested Monday morning -- will likely miss at least some early minutes. However, it looks as though he'll be available off the bench, should the Suns choose to play him. Phoenix will start Dario Saric at center in Ayton's place.

Ayton missed his mandatory COVID-19 test Sunday and is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against Oklahoma City, Kellan Olson of AZ Sports reports.

There's a lack of clarity with regard to Ayton's status, but he presumably won't be available after missing the test. Phoenix will go with Dario Saric at center to start, with Frank Kaminsky likely serving as the backup, as Aron Baynes (conditioning) remains out.

Ayton notched 18 points (7-15 FG, 4-5 FT), 12 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes during Saturday's win over the Heat.

Ayton continues to dominate the paint on both ends of the court, and the star center has been instrumental in Phoenix's 5-0 run in the Orlando bubble. He has scored 18 or more points in four games while posting three double-doubles in that stretch.

Ayton amassed 23 points (11-18 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds, four blocks, two steals and one assist in 35 minutes during Thursday's 114-99 victory over the Pacers.

Ayton took control early for the Suns, turning in his best all-around performance of the resumption period. The points and rebounds, we have come to expect. What was surprising was the fact he tallied a combined six steals and blocks. If Ayton manages to add consistent defensive production to his game, he could emerge as a top-20 asset moving forward.

Ayton finished with 24 points (11-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt), 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in Friday's 125-112 victory over the Wizards.

Ayton hit the ground running, producing an efficient 24 points including a pair of three-pointers. Granted this performance came against a vastly understrength Washington team who have very little to play for. With that being said, the Suns are likely to want Ayton on the floor given he missed a sizeable chunk of the season already. The return of Aron Baynes could cut into his playing time slightly, however, Ayton should continue to flirt with first-round value as long as he is active.

Ayton recorded 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt), seven rebounds and two steals across 20 minutes in Sunday's 117-103 scrimmage loss to the Celtics in Orlando.

It's important to note that Ayton hasn't played much in this unique season, as an ankle injury and suspension limited him to only 30 games. In limited play, he's boosted his seasonal averages in almost every category this season, but some rust is to be expected for the former first-round pick. His size and dominating interior play will be necessary to get the Suns within striking distance of a playoff berth.

Ayton registered 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), eight boards, and two assists in 21 minutes during Thursday's 101-88 win over the Jazz.

Ayton was dealing with an ankle issue when play got suspended back in March, but he is expected to be fully healthy when play resumes in the coming days. Judging by his performance in this scrimmage, he should be more than ready to play a prominent role on both ends of the court for a Phoenix team that still has an outside chance of earning the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

Ayton (ankle) will remain sidelined for Tuesday's tilt against the Trail Blazers, Sean Highkin of Bleacher Report reports.

Ayton made it through shootaround and indicated he hoped to play Tuesday, but that ultimately will not be the case. The Suns do not play again until Saturday, so he will have another three days off to recover. As a result, Aron Baynes and Dario Saric figure to again see increased workloads.

Ayton (ankle) went through shootaround Tuesday morning, Gina Mizell of The Athletic reports. "We'll see how he feels tonight," coach Monty Williams said of Ayton. "Hopefully he can go."

The big man has already missed the last two games, but he looks to be trending in the right direction as Tuesday's game approaches. The Suns will likely wait until closer to game-time to issue an update on his status.

Ayton (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's game against Portland, Jamie Goldberg of The Oregonian reports.

Ayton is in danger of missing his third straight contest due to a left ankle sprain, but the team likely won't have more on his status until closer to tipoff. Aron Baynes should continue to start at center if Ayton can't go.

Ayton (ankle) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Bucks, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton missed Friday's game against the Blazers with a left ankle issue and will miss at least one more game. He's expected return date is not yet clear, though he was at least able to participate in the non-contact portion of Thursday's practice. Aron Baynes started in his absence Friday and will likely do so again Sunday.

Ayton (ankle) is out Friday against the Trail Blazers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

As expected, Ayton will sit out as he heals from a left ankle injury. In his place, Aron Baynes and Cheick Diallo should see expanded roles.

Ayton (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers.

Ayton was able to go through non-contact portions of Thursday's practice, but that's not probably enough progress to take the court as soon as Friday. In his presumed absence, Aron Baynes and Cheick Diallo should see extra minutes.

Coach Monty Williams said Ayton (ankle) participated in non-contact portions of Thursday's practice, Gina Mizell of The Athletic reports.

This is certainly an encouraging development for Ayton, who underwent an MRI on his left ankle Wednesday. While the test results are not yet known, leaving the big man without a firm timetable for his return, it's worth noting that Williams said he "for sure" expects Ayton back this season. That said, Ayton seems unlikely to be available for Friday's game against Portland.

Ayton underwent an MRI on his left ankle Wednesday, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton apparently injured his ankle during Tuesday's loss to Toronto, during which he finished with 13 points, 14 rebounds, one assist, one steal and three blocks in 39 minutes. While the severity of the issue won't be known until after his test results are disclosed, Ayton will be confined to a walking boot for the time being and seems unlikely to play Friday against the Trail Blazers.

Ayton posted 13 points (5-14 FG, 3-4 FT), 14 rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal in 38 minutes during Tuesday's loss to Toronto.

Despite an errant shooting night, Ayton managed to record his 20th double-double of the year. The 21-year-old's stepped up his game in his second professional season and has increased his output across the board. Overall, he's averaging 19.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 blocks in 33.2 minutes per game.

Ayton (hip) is starting Saturday's game versus the Warriors.

Ayton is dealing with a sore hip and was questionable for Saturday's contest, but the issue won't prevent him from suiting up. The 21-year-old is averaging 21.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 blocks in 32.6 minutes over the last five games.

Ayton is considered questionable for Saturday's game against Golden State due to a sore hip, Gina Mizell of The Athletic reports.

Ayton picked up the hip issue during Friday's tilt with Detroit, though he recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds and was able to play 35 minutes in the contest. Presumably, the second-year center's availability will be determined based on how he feels during pregame warmups. Look for the team to provide an update on Ayton's status closer to tipoff.

Ayton chipped in with 25 points (11-22 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 17 rebounds and three blocks in 36 minutes during Wednesday's 102-92 loss to the Clippers.

Ayton has double-doubles in seven of nine February contests so far, and he has grabbed 15 or more boards four times already, including in two of his last three contests. He has settled himself as one of Phoenix's go-to players on offense and has looked impressive during the current month, averaging 21.9 points and 13.2 rebounds while shooting 56.5 percent from the field in nine games.

Ayton provided 16 points (8-9 FG), five rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes during Monday's 131-111 win over Utah.

The combination of Aron Baynes seeing an uptick in run against Rudy Gobert, a potentially lingering ankle injury and the Suns pulling away in the second half capped Ayton's ceiling. It may come as a harsh reality check to Ayton shareholders, as his strong double-double streak came to an end. However, the reality may be extrapolated when the stingy, "time is now" Clippers come to Phoenix on Wednesday --- presenting a tough matchup on paper for Ayton.

Ayton (ankle) is starting Monday's game against the Jazz.

Ayton was deemed probable for Monday's clash due to an ankle issue, and as expected, he's been given the green light. He's averaging 22.3 points and 13.9 rebounds over seven contests in February.

Ayton (ankle) is probable for Monday's contest against Utah, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton's name on the injury report has appeared numerous times lately due to an ankle injury, though the center has played in each of the last two matchups. Barring any major setbacks prior to tipoff, Ayton will presumably resume a normal workload Monday in Utah.

Ayton racked up 28 points (12-20 FG, 4-5 FT), 19 rebounds, three blocks and one assist in 35 minutes during Saturday's 112-104 win at the Bulls.

Ayton missed Phoenix's last two games before the All-Star break, but he has proven to be healthy notching double-doubles in back-to-back performances on the road. The second-year center remains an absolute stud, and he has averaged 22.3 points with 13.9 rebounds in seven February contests, delivering six double-doubles during that stretch.

Ayton (ankle) is available for Saturday's game against the Bulls, Gina Mizell of The Athletic reports.

Ayton was considered probable after putting up 17 points and 10 rebounds Friday in Toronto, and he'll be available as expected Saturday. He'll take his usual place in the starting lineup and won't face a minutes restriction.

Ayton (ankle) is probable for Saturday's game against the Bulls, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ayton returned from an ankle injury Friday, posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, one block and one steal against the Raptors. He's apparently dealing with some soreness, but he's expected to play Saturday.

Ayton scored 17 points (8-14 FG, 1-3 FT) while adding 10 rebounds, a steal and a block in 36 minutes during Friday's 118-101 loss to the Raptors.

The second-year center looked 100 percent after missing the last two games before the All-Star break with a minor ankle injury. Ayton now has five double-doubles through six games in February, and 16 in 24 games on the season.

Ayton (ankle) will play Friday against the Raptors, Gina Mizell of The Athletic reports.

Ayton will take the court Friday following a two-game absence. In five February appearances, he's averaging 22.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.0 blocks in 34.3 minutes.

Coach Monty Williams hopes Ayton (ankle) will be available for Friday's game in Toronto, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

The 21-year-old was able to participate at practice Wednesday, which is an encouraging sign for his availability coming out of the All-Star break. Ayton missed the final two games before break due to the left ankle issue and also sat out the Rising Stars Challenge after being selected to Team World.

Ayton (ankle) did not play in the Rising Stars Game at All-Star Weekend.

Ayton was named to the World Team, but he was dealing with the ankle injury heading into the break, so he was replaced by the Pelicans' Nicolo Melli. The Suns haven't said much about Ayton's status for when play resumes later in the week, but he missed the final two pre-break games after tweaking the left ankle in a loss to Denver on Feb. 8. Until further notice, Ayton should be considered firmly questionable for Friday's game in Toronto, which comes on the first night of a back-to-back.

Ayton (ankle) was ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Warriors.

Ayton was already listed as doubtful, so it's no surprise he won't be available Wednesday. The 21-year-old will head into the All-Star break having missed the last two games. Cheick Diallo receives another start in his place.

Ayton (ankle) is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Warriors, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton is expected to miss a second straight game due to a left ankle injury. In his stead, Cheick Diallo is likely to make another start.

Ayton (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's contest against Golden State, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ayton missed Monday's loss against the Lakers due to left ankle soreness, but there's speculation that the center will return to the floor Wednesday. Ayton has been outstanding as of late, as the former Arizona standout is averaging 20.9 points and 12.7 rebounds over his last 13 appearances.

Ayton (ankle) won't play Monday against the Lakers, Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register reports.

Ayton was downgraded to doubtful just hours before tipoff, and he's since been ruled out for Monday's clash. The Suns will be thin at center with Ayton, Aron Baynes (hip) and Frank Kaminsky (kneecap) all out.

Ayton (ankle) is now listed as doubtful for Monday's game against the Lakers.

Ayton was previously considered questionable with a left ankle issue, though it appears he's not feeling as healthy as the team first thought. With Aron Baynes (hip) already ruled out, Cheick Diallo appears in for an increase of minutes at center Monday night.

Ayton is considered questionable for Monday's game against the Lakers due to a sore ankle, Duane Rankin of AZCentral.com reports.

Hopefully this isn't anything of great concern, but Ayton's status is something to monitor over the next 24 hours. He played 42 minutes in Saturday's loss to Denver, finishing with 28 points, 19 rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block.

Ayton managed 28 points (13-21 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 19 rebounds, three steals, two assists and one block in 42 minutes during Saturday's 117-108 loss to the Nuggets.

Ayton turned in another dominant performance Saturday, falling one rebound short of an elusive 20-20 game. He has been a top-20 player over the past month despite managing to get to the line only 2.5 times per game. As soon as he figures out how to increase his volume from the charity stripe, he could be knocking on the door of first-round value.

Ayton finished with 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-2 FT), six boards, four assists and two blocks in 24 minutes of a 127-91 win against the Rockets on Friday.

Ayton finished with a disappointing line despite a favorable match up on paper against an undersized Rockets team. Still, Ayton's decrease in numbers could be attributed to Phoenix's early lead, causing him to get more rest in the first night of the back-to-back. He'll face the Nuggets on Saturday.

Ayton scored 26 points (12-18 FG, 2-4 FT) while adding 12 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 41 minutes during Wednesday's 116-108 loss to the Pistons.

Matched up in the paint against Andre Drummond, Ayton more than held his own and posted his third straight double-double while tying his season high in blocks. The second-year big is on a roll, averaging 21.0 points, 12.5 boards, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks over his last 12 games.

Ayton produced 25 points (12-22 FG, 1-2 FT), 17 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in 34 minutes during Monday's 119-97 loss to the Nets.

Ayton scored at least 20 for the third time in the last four games, and he's up to 13 double-doubles across 20 appearances. Moreover, Ayton matched his season high in dimes and has upped his per-game averages in points, boards, assists and blocks this year while also raising his free-throw percentage. He'll look to keep up this recent streak of strong play during Wednesday's matchup versus the Pistons.

Ayton amassed 31 points (13-15 FG, 5-5 FT), nine rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block in 29 minutes during Tuesday's 133-104 victory over the Mavericks.

Ayton was hitting everything Tuesday, ending the victory with a season-high 31 points. He added contributions across the board and is rounding into some nice form. He has been a first-round player over the past two weeks and looks set for a big finish to the season. Those that stayed patient through his suspension are reaping the benefits right now.

Ayton totaled 17 points (7-19 FG, 3-5 FT), 15 rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks in 40 minutes during Sunday's 114-109 loss to the Grizzlies.

Ayton finished with a career high minute total and logged his 11th double-double through 16 games this season. Despite being suspended for nearly two months, Ayton actually has a chance, albeit a small one, to surpass last year's double-double total (39). Moreover, with Aron Baynes (hip) expected to miss at least another week, Ayton is likely to continue earning heavy minutes.

Ayton totaled 10 points (5-11 FG, 0-0 3Pt, 0-0 FT), three assists, 11 rebounds and a steal in 36 minutes during Friday's 103-99 victory over the Spurs.

Ayton returned to the starting lineup five games ago and had started hot out of the gate, scoring at least 25 points in his first three tilts. Since then, he's dropped to just 10 each over his last two. Still, that's enough for him to garner double-doubles in all but one of those games.

Ayton had 10 points (5-12 FG), eight rebounds, two assists and a steal in 31 minutes during the Suns' 112-87 loss to the Pacers on Wednesday night.

Ayton looked a bit out of sorts, as there were multiple oops that he timed poorly in the first half. He was also dominated on the glass by Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner --- with Turner blocking him a couple times for good measure. Ayton has a promising next matchup in San Antonio on Thursday after dropping 25 points and 12 boards on the Spurs on Monday.

Ayton had 25 points (9-14 FG, 7-8 FT) and 12 rebounds in Monday's loss to the Spurs.

It was the fourth consecutive double-double for Ayton, who's now started the last three games and averaged 25.7 points, 16.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per contest in that span. He's also hit 21 of his 23 free throw attempts.

Ayton amassed 26 points (8-22 FG, 10-11 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 36 minutes during Saturday's 123-119 win over the Celtics.

Ayton matched his season high in scoring, which he just set in Thursday's win over the Knicks. This is Ayton's third straight game with at least 20 points and 10 boards, and he has logged at least 33 minutes in three straight as well. So long as he can stay healthy, it seems reasonable to expect Ayton to continue earning the vast majority of minutes at the center spot going forward, as Aron Baynes has averaged 14.0 minutes across the last three contests.

Ayton accumulated 26 points (11-15 FG, 4-4 FT), 21 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 35 minutes during Thursday's 121-98 win over the Knicks.

Ayton drew the start after coming off the bench behind Aron Baynes the last three games, and the 21-year-old sophomore was absolutely superb, amassing a career high rebounding total and a season high in scoring. Ayton has logged seven double-doubles through 11 appearances, has scored 20 or more in three of the last five and has hauled in at least nine boards in every tilt thus far this season. Ayton is also averaging 1.6 blocks per game, this after managing just 0.9 per night as a rookie in 2018-19.

Ayton is starting Thursday's game against New York, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton has come off the bench in his last three contests, but he'll get an opportunity to run with the first unit Thursday night. He's averaging 16.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in his last three starts.

Ayton scored 20 points (10-14 FG) while adding 10 rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 33 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 123-110 loss to the Hawks.

Whether he's been starting or anchoring the Suns' second unit, Ayton has been producing solid numbers lately, averaging 16.7 points, 10.9 boards, 2.1 assists and 1.6 blocks over the last seven games. The second-year center should continue seeing big minutes and remain a strong fantasy asset regardless of his role.

Ayton had 18 points (9-15 FG, 0-2 FT), nine rebounds, two steals and one block in 26 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 100-92 win over the Hornets.

Ayton has scored in double digits in all but one of his appearances since the end of his 25-game suspension earlier in the season, but he has been just one rebound away from a double-double in each of the last three. Ayton has been coming off the bench in four of the Suns' last seven games but even if he remains on that role, he should be a valuable fantasy asset across all formats.

Ayton scored 13 points (6-16 FG, 1-1 FT) in a win over the Magic on Friday, adding nine rebounds, three blocks and one assist in 30 minutes.

In his previous four games, Ayton has put up 16.5 points, 12.0 boards, 3.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game, and has only missed a double-double once in that span. Unfortunately, he has to add another missed double-double in this relatively quiet outing. Nevertheless, the fantasy owners who bought low, or held on through all the absences in the first half of the season, are beginning to see their patience pay off. The 21-year old acknowledged that he's still working toward getting back into rhythm. If these recent performances are what his down games look like, he could be a beast through the second half of the season.

Ayton will come off the bench Friday against Orlando.

Ayton has finished in double figures in each of his last three starts, but he'll come off the bench Friday evening. Dario Saric draws the start at power forward as a result.

Ayton (ankle) will play Monday against the Trail Blazers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton has missed the last five matchups due to an ankle sprain, but he'll be back in action in Portland. He's played in just two games this season due to a 25-game suspension and the ankle injury, so it's unclear if he'll immediately join the starting five upon his return.

Ayton (ankle) has a possibility of returning in Monday's matchup with the Trail Blazers, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Though he was initially ruled out, coach Monty Williams stated that Ayton could possibly return Monday, depending on how he responds to shootaround and pregame treatment and likely won't be made official until the runup to tipoff. It would be a boon for fantasy owners, who've been blessed by Ayton's presence in just two games this season as the second-year center's battled both a suspension and a nagging right ankle sprain.

Ayton (ankle) has been ruled out of Monday's game against Portland, Duane Rankin of AZCentral.com reports.

Ayton hurt his ankle almost immediately after returning from a 25-game suspension, and Monday will mark his sixth consecutive absence. The second-year big man has logged just 57 total minutes thus far on the season. Expect Aron Baynes to continue to start at center so long as Ayton remains out.

Ayton (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Kings, Gina Mizell of The Athletic reports.

Ayton will miss his fifth straight game due to a sprained ankle. Aron Baynes and Frank Kaminsky figure to continue benefiting from his absence. The Suns' prized big man has played in just two games this season due to suspension and injuries. His next chance to suit up will come Monday against the Trail Blazers.

Ayton (ankle) will not play Friday against the Warriors, Gina Mizell of The Athletic reports.

Ayton is still recovering from a sprained right ankle and will miss a fourth straight matchup. His next opportunity to play arrives Saturday against the Kings. Aron Baynes and Frank Kaminsky stand to benefit from Ayton's absence.

Ayton (ankle) will be held out of Monday's tilt with Denver, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ayton will miss a third-straight game as he continues to battle a right ankle sprain. Aron Baynes should continue to start in place of Ayton.

Ayton (ankle) will remain sidelined for Saturday's game against the Rockets, Gina Mizell of The Athletic reports.

Ayton will miss a second straight game due to a sprained ankle. He picked the injury up in his first game back from his 25-game suspension. The Suns prized big-man has played in just two games so far this season. His next chance to suit up will come Monday versus the Nuggets. In the meantime, Aron Baynes and Frank Kaminsky (knee) will continue to handle the majority of the work in the team's frontcourt.

Ayton will not play Friday against the Thunder due to a sprained right ankle, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

It's a tough break for Ayton, who just returned from a 25-game suspension earlier in the week. The severity of the issue is not yet known, leaving his status up in the air for the second half of Phoenix's back-to-back set. With Ayton sidelined, Frank Kaminsky and Aron Baynes should both benefit from increased run.