After the Phoenix Suns took control of the Western Conference Finals, beating the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night, Deandre Ayton again played outstanding basketball under the radar scoring 19 points while grabbing 22 rebounds and blocking four shots.
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
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2021
Game 5 – Monday, 9pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/tovZKKCbpi
After the Suns 84-80 Game 4 win, Ayton took time to give credit to Chris Paul, who has helped his development that is on display in this postseason. Ayton even went as far as to call CP3 the best thing that has happened in his career.
“He was the best thing that happened to my career.”@DeandreAyton on @CP3‘s impact on him. #ThatsGame #NBAWCF presented by AT&T pic.twitter.com/A8zgIfCpWE
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2021
“I love CP, man. Like I said, that’s really the only teammate that really push me. Like big bro type push. Knowing what I got and that I ain’t never thought that I had,” Ayton said after Game 4. “I think he was the best thing that happened to my career. I can say that every day.”
Paul discussed Deandre’s progress over the season via CBS Sports.
“To see his growth, man, I get goosebumps. Seriously, man,” Paul said of Ayton. “We done had some heated conversations this season, especially earlier in the season, but man, I genuinely love him. You know what I’m saying? The person he is. And to see everything that’s coming to him, and the national audience getting to see who he is and why he was the No. 1 pick, I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Ayton and Suns have a chance to clinch a NBA Finals berth winning Game 5 on Monday night
