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After Chris Paul suffered a shoulder contusion early in the first half, the Phoenix Suns needed all hands on deck to beat the Lakers in their playoff opener.
Former Arizona Wildcats center Deandre Ayton stepped up with 21 points and 16 rebounds on 10-of-11 shooting in a 99-90 victory. Per ESPN stats and info, Ayton is the second player in postseason history to shoot 90 percent (or better) in a 20-point, 15-rebound against the Lakers, joining the legendary Bill Russell.
Deandre Ayton is the 2nd player in postseason history to shoot 90% (or better) in a 20-point, 15-rebound game against the Lakers, joining Bill Russell, who did it in Game 2 of the 1965 NBA Finals h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/T0CXG8LBQW
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 23, 2021
Ayton completely outclassed Anthony Davis, who only posted 13 points and seven rebounds on 5-of-16 shooting.
Check the highlights:
It was a big victory for the Suns. Not just because they took a 1-0 series lead on the defending champs, but because they had not won a playoff game since 2011 and the win instills a sense of belief moving forward.
Devin Booker was tremendous as well, pouring in 34 points, eight assists and seven rebounds on 13-of-26 shooting.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. MST on TNT.