The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DEANDRE Ayton returned to the floor following his time in the NBA’s health and safety protocols for COVID-19 but is still working his way back to peak conditioning to help his Phoenix Suns back to the win column.

Ayton missed six games but returned in a 123-100 loss to the Miami Heat at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on January 8. He finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and shot just 4-5 from the field in 32 minutes.

“My feet were burning a little bit, but other than that, I felt like I was moving fine,” Ayton said following the Suns’ practice session on Sunday. “Everyone said I was moving pretty good. Just trying my best to stay in the weight room and hurry up and get back in shape.”

The Suns, 30-9, will travel to face the Toronto Raptors tonight on the first game of a five-game road trip.

During his time in the protocols, Ayton said he was asymptomatic.

“I was just at home just healthy as can be just sitting here watching the game and playing (NBA) 2K, and shaking my head. I was really healthy. Didn’t have any symptoms at all,” he said. “I was testing every day. Testing every day, coming back twice a day. Levels were just down, levels wasn’t where it was supposed to be and I think that’s why I was really in protocols. Levels were low.”

Despite not being able to participate in team activities, Ayton said he remained connected to his teammates as they went 4-2 over that timespan.

“Honestly, it brought back bad memories of when I was suspended,” Ayton told reporters. “I couldn’t be a part of the team or couldn’t just join the team. It brought me some bad memories. Just sitting at home not being with the team. I felt left out, but my teammates made sure in the group chats and stuff, they were checking up on me. They made me feel good. I was supporting them on as well.”

Last week, Ayton was 10th among frontcourt players in the Western Conference with 177,115 votes when the league announced the first fan returns of NBA All-Star Voting.

Ayton is fourth among centres behind reigning MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets (1,649,809), Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves (474,794), and Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz (218,819).

The next NBA All-Star fan voting update will be shared on January 13.

Ayton is averaging 16.8 points and 11 rebounds per game on 63 percent shooting from the field.

Ayton has 15 double doubles in 25 games this season.