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At least his season is not over. The ankle injury appeared bad when it happened on Tuesday night, as 250-pound forward OG Anunoby fell trying to defend Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton and rolled all of his weight onto Ayton’s lower leg and ankle on the way down to the ground.
Ayton went down like AyTON of bricks, and immediately was helped to the locker room. He did not return to the game, and was seen later walking around in a supportive boot.
OG Anunoby rolls over on Deandre Ayton's ankle as he heads to the locker room pic.twitter.com/yREJ0XAT52
— The Render (@TheRenderNBA2) March 4, 2020
But Ayton promised this ankle injury was no different than the others, and that he would be back soon.
#Suns center Deandre Ayton talks about his left ankle injury, losing to Toronto, missing close shots and the injured Kelly Oubre Jr., who will be re-evaluated in four weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to address a torn meniscus. pic.twitter.com/NYYGrrZxK0
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 4, 2020
And Ayton was right.
The MRI showed no real damage, so Ayton will just wait until the swelling goes down and he’s in little enough pain to be able to play again.
Monty Williams said Deandre Ayton (ankle) participated in some non-contact stuff at today’s practice and “we’ll have to see how he responds.” Doesn’t have a timetable on Ayton’s return, but said he “for sure” expects Ayton back this season #Suns
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) March 5, 2020
Judging by prior injuries this year, that would be a 2-5 game absence.
You can choose to blame the shoes Ayton wears — on Tuesday they weren’t even high tops — but if you watch that injury I don’t see how he avoids it with high tops.