The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DEANDRE Ayton played an inspired second half and posted impressive numbers to lead the Phoenix Suns to their second largest comeback win of the season.

Ayton finished with 28 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks in the Suns’ 112-104 win over the Chicago Bulls Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Ayton struggled for much of the first half but turned his night around after a defensive play from Bulls’ forward Daniel Gafford.

“I got blocked, dude blocked my dunk, I think it was Gafford, Gafford blocked me and that’s when I was like - I’d never been - nobody’s going to block my dunk so, yeah, that woke me up. These dudes are competing, they came to play,” Ayton said.

“It shouldn’t be like that to where somebody has to throw the first punch at me but it be like that sometimes. My team woke me up, coach got on me, my team got on me and I answered.”

In the fourth quarter, Ayton was nearly unstoppable on both ends of the floor with 12 points and eight rebounds to finish just shy of season highs in both categories (scoring - 31 and rebounding - 21).

Trailing by 10 at the half, Phoenix won the third quarter by 13 points and ended the game on a 17-4 run.

The Suns’ comeback coincided with increased production from Ayton. “It’s one thing when you hear it from coaches -- Am I doing the right thing,” he said. “But it’s another thing hearing it from your teammates, (who) you see everyday and laugh and joke around with and goof around.

“You know when to get serious. I just woke up. Mental toughness, to be honest.”

He missed two games with an injured ankle headed into the All-Star break and once play resumed, finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a 118-101 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Over the last seven games, the second year centre and former No.1 overall pick is averaging 22.2 points, 13.8 rebounds and two blocks.

His effort against Chicago marked Ayton’s 17th double double this season.

It was also his eighth game with over 25 points this season, fifth game with over 25 points and 15 rebounds this season and fifth game with at least three blocks his season.

Sun head coach Monty Williams said Ayton was the difference in the comeback win over the Bulls.

“I thought the difference was DA - his dominance on both ends, scoring the basketball and guarding at the rim, guarding in one-on-one situations after a switch. “He had 28 and 19 boards, thats a monster night,” Williams said.

“I told him, we need him to play with that disposition every night.”