Suns’ Ayton returns from ban
LOS ANGELES – Deandre Ayton arrived a little late to his first game back.
"L.A. traffic," a smiling Ayton said. "L.A. traffic, that's all."
This was all part of the second-year center's return from a 25-game suspension Tuesday as Phoenix took on the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.
“Just being excited and just having a lot of fun," Ayton said before the game. "Just being loud so I can hear myself and keep calm."
Ayton was suspended 25 games for violating the NBA/NBPA anti-drug policy for testing positive for taking a diuretic. Ayton called the situation a "unintentional mistake," which falls in line with his initial statement when served with the suspension.
"I know what I did and it was the biggest mistake, unintentional mistake, that happened in my life," said the 21-year-old Ayton. "Learn from it and build from it, you know. It's a mistake and everybody makes mistakes. It's just how you bounce back, really. I think that's what everybody is waiting for. I did my time. I'm here."
Diuretics can cause rapid weight loss and act as masking agents to hide what could be banned substances.
This led to speculation Ayton tried to hide a banned substance in his system.The top overall pick in the 2018 draft out of Arizona addressed that matter as well.
"I did not know what went in my body or what I put in my body," Ayton said. "Like I said, I was guilty of it. It is what it is."
Ayton went as far to say he may need to "close the circle" of people around him.
"Probably cooking my maybe," Ayton joked.
Another element to the suspension was the appeal, something ESPN reported Ayton’s camp were planning to do in hopes to reduce the suspension.
Ayton confirmed Tuesday an appeal wasn't made. own food
“I didn't want to be a distraction to the team," Ayton said. "I just wanted to focus on getting better and not be any type of negative thing of my team or any negative attention towards my team."
The Suns went 10-15 without Ayton, losing four of those last five. Watching from afar wasn’t easy for Ayton as he couldn’t be in the arena, home or away, two hours before games.
“It was tough when they played and I had to leave the arena on game day," Ayton said. "But practicing with them and talking to the guys, being a part of practice. They didn't really keep me far away. The guys talked to me. Didn't leave me out."
They’re without Devin Booker (right forearm contusion) for a third straight game Tuesday, but Ayton’s return gives them new optimism moving forward.
“We’ve got one hell of a piece coming in,” Suns center Aron Baynes said after Monday night’s 111-110 loss to Portland. “He’s the biggest piece of this puzzle for us. It’s going to be fun integrating him back into it and getting him going. I think that’s a good boost.”
Ayton posted a double-double of 18 points, 11 rebounds and added four
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❚ Go to to read how Deandre Ayton did in his return from suspension in the Suns’ game against the Clippers on Tuesday night. blocks in the season opener Phoenix won by 29 points over Sacramento before being handed the suspension.
While out, Ayton did pretty much everything except play in the games. As his suspension drew closer to an end, Phoenix revved up his cardio work.
"Just build his conditioning up so he'd have a foundation," Suns coach Monty Williams said. "There's nothing like playing in the game, but the ability to get out on the floor and play 3-on-3, 4-on-4, then 5-on-5, that progression, we hope, laid a foundation for him."
The Suns look forward to seeing the results of his work starting Tuesday night.
“He’s been working his ass off while he’s been out,” Suns wing Kelly Oubre Jr. said. “I’ve been seeing growth, firsthand, and I’m just excited for him to get back in the rhythm of him being back.”