Suns’ Center Deandre Ayton Out Thursday

Kellan Olson provided an injury update on Deandre Ayton ahead of the Phoenix Suns game on Thursday. Ayton was scratched from the Suns’ lineup with a knee injury, as they are scheduled to take on the Portland Trail Blazers as -2.5 favorites.

https://twitter.com/KellanOlson/status/1392997119712129024

Ayton has been incredibly durable for the Suns, starting all 69 games for them this season. His 8.4 Win Shares, as calculated by Basketball-Reference, are second-best on the team, and he leads the team with 3.1 Defensive Win Shares.

Dario Saric is listed second on the Suns’ depth chart at center and is in line for his first start at center since last season. Saric averages 8.5 points and 3.7…