The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns made franchise history Wednesday night when a win over the Los Angeles Clippers ended one of the longest playoff droughts in the NBA.

Nearly 6000 fans were in attendance at the PHX Arena to witness the Suns improve to 44-18 with a 109-101 win and clinched a postseason berth for the first time since 2010.

Ayton had just five points but also posted a game high 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.The Suns will have an opportunity to enter into a tie for the league’s best record when they host the Utah Jazz (45-17) tonight.

The Suns finished the 2020 season 34-39 in the first year under current head coach Monty Williams.

In 2019, the Suns were just 19-63.

“I’m grateful. I had no idea that we would get here this quickly so I want to give praise to God for what he has been able to do through our programme and all of our guys in a short period of time,” Williams said.

“I am cognizant that it has been relatively quick for us to get here. Our players have worked their tails off, they’ve done everything I’ve asked them to do and I’m happy for them.”

“More to do, more to come. We’re not satisfied. We’re not settling. We’re just scratching the surface as far as the way we want to play, the way we can play.”

Ayton has struggled offensively with less than 10 points in the last two games but has totalled 24 rebounds in those games.

On the season he is averaging 14.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. He is also shooting a career high 62 percent from the field and 76 percent from the free throw line.

Among players that have played a minimum of 40 games this season, Ayton is fifth in offensive rebounds per game at 3.4.

Earlier this season, Ayton said the addition of veteran point guard and MVP candidate Chris Paul has transformed the organisation’s mindset into a playoff contender.

“He’s a guy who pays attention to details. He sees things we can’t see and it’ll help us in the long run. It’s just being prepared, having that playoff mindset, knowing the team’s tendencies, knowing their bread and butter, just knowing what teams want, knowing their best players, getting the ball out of their hands,” Ayton said.

“Being this type of player, he put this pressure on me to be the anchor of the defence, knowing that whatever I say goes. Just being on top of that and having your teammates look out for you. He just increases your awareness.”

The Suns have already reached several personal milestones this season, most notably in March, Paul dished an alley-oop to Ayton who finished with a dunk to mark the 10,000th assist of Paul’s career.

“I was so happy. From the beginning from when we got CP, I’ve been excited.

“Just that whole moment — the way he got his 10k assist with a bang — and me being a part of that, I definitely felt it,” Ayton said.