The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Deandre Ayton returned to the Phoenix Suns starting lineup and the defending Western Conference champions extended their league-leading win streak to eight games.

Meanwhile, Chavano “Buddy” Hield and the Sacramento Kings brought an end to a four-game losing streak. (See full story on this page).

Ayton finished with his fourth double double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds in a 99-96 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last night at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Ayton gave the Suns the lead for good when he made the go ahead running hook shot to give the Suns a 93-92 lead with 1:13 left to play in the fourth quarter.

The Suns improved to 10-3 on the season, second in the Western Conference behind the Golden State Warriors (11-2).

The Suns will look to continue their win streak on Wednesday, November 17 when they are scheduled to face off with the Dallas Mavericks.

The fourth-year centre missed the past five games with a lower right leg contusion.

Ayton has been in and out of the lineup since he suffered the injury on October 30 in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He missed the following game on October 31 against the New Orleans Pelicans and was listed as day-to-day.

He returned to the lineup on November 4 with 16 points and 11 rebounds in just 26 minutes of a 123- 111 win over the Houston Rockets but would go on to miss the next five games.

Hield and the Kings got their first win since November 6 and brought an end to a four-game losing streak.

Hield scored a team high 22 points in a 129-107 win over the Detroit Pistons last night at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

He shot 8-14 from the field and 6-10 from three-point range. The Kings dominated wire to wire and led 31-12 at the end of the first quarter. They took control with a 26-2 run for a 33-12 lead early in the second quarter. The Kings will continue their roap trip Wednesday night when they visit the Timberwolves.