Suns’ Deandre Ayton Ruled Out of Elimination Game vs. Nuggets, per Report

The Phoenix center suffered a rib injury during Phoenix’s Game 5 loss to Denver.

Ahead of a do-or-die Game 6 at home against the Nuggets on Thursday, Suns center Deandre Ayton has been ruled out with a rib contusion, according to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania.

Ayton appeared to suffer the injury late in the first quarter during Tuesday’s Game 5 after colliding with Nuggets guard Bruce Brown. He stayed in the game, ultimately logging 32 minutes and finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds on 7-for-12 shooting from the field.

For the series, Ayton has averaged 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 57.8% on field goal attempts. He’ll join point guard Chris Paul on the sidelines, as Paul has been out since Game 2 with a groin injury.