The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

For the first time since the season opener, Deandre Ayton was back on the court for the Phoenix Suns and despite a blowout loss, the former No.1 overall pick showed little signs of rust in his return.

Ayton finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds in 24 minutes of the Suns’ 120-99 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

He returned to action after serving a 25-game suspension without pay for violating the terms of NBA/National Basketball Players Association Anti-Drug Programme by testing positive for a diuretic.

His only previous appearance this year was in the season opener on October 23 when he finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and a steal in 33 minutes in a 124-95 win over the Sacramento Kings.

On Tuesday, the Suns’ bus was in traffic for 90 minutes on the way to the Staples Center but Ayton said he chose that moment to reflect, before he tried to become reacclimated to the court.

“I had a long bus ride, an hour and-a-half. It gave me enough time to get all those butterflies out, listen to some music, just think about the environment of the game. Once I stepped onto the floor, I knew I was going to be alright,” he said.

“How’d I feel? At first I felt like this court is like a soccer field, then I started to get my second wind. ... Then I felt a little normal when I got subbed out. Came back in and was back in a rhythm and found my groove a little bit.”

Ayton said the camaraderie of playing alongside his teammates was one of the major things he missed out on the most as he served the suspension.

“[It was good] being out there with these guys and having that feeling of just playing with each other and having a great time,” Ayton said.

“These dudes are moving the ball, man. They’re kind of fast. So our pace, I got to hurry up and wake up to the pace of the offence because three swings and my legs were burning after two screens. So I’m like all right, got to get back in my groove.”

With 30 assists in the game, the Suns became the only team since 1990 to have 29-plus assists in 11 consecutive games.

The Suns were also without leading scorer Devin Booker and lost their fourth consecutive game, but continue to be one of the league’s surprises at 12-15 and in the midst of a race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“It’s frustrating and I know what I did and it was the biggest mistake and unintentional mistake that happened in my life. It was something to learn from and build from it. It’s a mistake and everybody makes mistakes. It’s just how you bounce back really. I think that is what everybody is waiting for. I did my time so I’m here,” Ayton said prior to Tuesday night’s game.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, The NPBA planned to file arbitration papers on Ayton’s behalf seeking the suspension to be reduced or completely rescinded due to “a collective bargaining agreement provision of ‘unintentional ingestion.”

According to Ayton, that suspension was never appealed because he preferred to focus on personal improvement and not become a distraction to the franchise.

During his suspension, Ayton was allowed to practice, be around the team and work out at team facilities, but was required to leave the arena within two hours to tipoff.

“It was tough when they played and I had to leave the arena on a game day.Practicing with them and talking to the guys and being a part of the practice, didn’t really keep me far. The guys talking to me, not leaving me out, stuff like that. They handled their business [without me],” Ayton said.

“This organisation that I am part of really loves me and supports me. They helped me through this journey, and I matured a lot. I did not know what I put in my body. I was guilty of it and it is what it is. Closing the circle much tighter and probably cooking my own food maybe.”

Suns coach Monty Williams said the team was excited about the possibilities of Ayton’s return to compound the team’s early success.

“He’s not a normal player or athlete. He’s 7 feet tall, a freak athlete, who can shoot the ball, block shots, how many times can you get that 25-26 games into the year without making a trade?” Williams said.

Ayton was named the NBA All-Rookie First team and was named one of three finalists for the 2018-19 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

He finished his rookie with averages of 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 blocks on 59 per cent shooting from the field in 71 games - one of the most efficient rookie seasons in league history.

Ayton posted 39 double-doubles, a Suns rookie record and No.12 among all players. He also set the Suns rookie rebounding record with 729 boards.

His field goal percentage was the third-highest in NBA history by a rookie qualified for the league leaderboard and the highest by a rookie who is averaging a double-double.