Suns center Deandre Ayton has been ruled out for Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal series vs. the Nuggets with a rib contusion, as relayed by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Also listed as out is point guard Chris Paul, who has missed the past three games with a groin issue.
The Suns trail the series, 3-2, with Game 6 set for Thursday in Phoenix. So they will be trying to stave off elimination without two starters.
Ayton seemed to suffer the injury in the first half of the Suns’ Game 5 loss when he took an accidental shot to the rib cage from Nuggets guard Bruce Brown.
Ayton, 24, is averaging 13.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 10 playoff games this season, shooting 55 percent from the field.
Suns center Deandre Ayton has been ruled out of Game 6 tonight vs. Nuggets due to his rib contusion, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 11, 2023
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