Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams said Deandre Ayton missing the first quarter of Monday's win over the Oklahoma City Thunder was just a "blip on the screen" and not a distraction.
Ayton missed his mandatory COVID-19 test on Sunday morning and wasn't cleared to play on Monday until his second test was cleared. It wasn't until later in the day that he tested negative and was able to join the team. Television cameras showed him riding a stationary bike in the first quarter.
The Suns trailed 37-23 after the first quarter but bounced back to roll to a 128-101 win to improve to 6-0 in Orlando.