NBA
Deandre Ayton’s Development Has Him Living Up to the No. 1 Pick Hype
After a 19-point, 22-rebound game in a crucial win, Deandre Ayton's development in these playoffs have him living up to the No. 1 pick hype
Kog 2/YouTube
Both teams struggled to score in Game 4, but Phoenix was the better team when it mattered most. LA was 0-12 on game-tying/go-ahead field goals in the fourth quarter and just couldn’t get over the hump on Saturday night. Devin Booker led all scorers with 25 points, while Deandre Ayton recorded a monster game of 19 points, 22 rebounds, and four blocks. Phoenix now sits one game away from their first Finals appearance in nearly 30 years, and they’ll have the chance to do it at home in Game 5.
DEANDRE AYTON’S DEVELOPMENT HAS HIM LIVING UP TO THE NO. 1 PICK HYPE
COLORS KEY | FULL SUNS OUTLOOK
Deandre Ayton’s performances this postseason are showing why he was drafted first overall. CP3 and Booker combined for an inefficient shooting night in Game 4 (14-44 FG; 32%), but Ayton stepped up with 22 boards, including nine on the offensive glass, which kept possessions alive and created easy buckets to help the Suns win a crucial Game 4 in low-scoring fashion.
Ayton’s presence on the interior and improvement when switching onto quicker players like Guards and Wings has also helped him become a force on that side of the ball as well, exemplified by his four blocks on Saturday, putting Phoenix a game away from the Finals for the first time in 28 years.
The No.1 pick has been overshadowed by Luka Doncic (#3) and Trae Young‘s (#5) early excellence but Ayton is emerging as a future All-Star and potential MVP candidate in his own right. Kendrick Perkins referred to him as a modern day David Robinson which shows the high praise the former top pick is receiving amidst a breakout 2021 postseason.
Ayton showed off the touch on this bucket 👀 pic.twitter.com/E4arzRcgSi
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 27, 2021
DEANDRE. AYTON. DOMINATION.@DeandreAyton scores 19 points while tallying #NBAPlayoffs career highs in boards (22) and blocks (4), putting the @Suns up 3-1! #ThatsGame
Game 5 – Monday, 9pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/tovZKKCbpi
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2021
Share this Deandre Ayton article with friends and follow for more great sports content!
