Phoenix Suns: Top 3 individual performances from the 2018-19 NBA season

#2 DeAndre Ayton vs Denver Nuggets - December 29th, 2018

One of the bright spots for the Phoenix Suns in the 2018-19 season was center DeAndre Ayton. He was drafted last year as the 1st overall pick by the Suns at the NBA Draft. In terms of the Rookie of the Year race, Ayton likely comes in as the third-best performer behind Luka Doncic and Trae Young. At 7’1 and 250lbs, Ayton provides Phoenix with the true size need in a center.

In his rookie season, Ayton averaged 16.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg and shot 58.5% from the field in 71 games. Ayton along with Devin Booker forms the core of the youth talent that the Phoenix Suns will likely rely on over the next 3-5 years.

Of Ayton’s standout moments, perhaps his outing on December 29th, 2018 against the Nuggets was one of his best NBA performances so far. On that night, Ayton shot 16/20 from the field which is 80% accuracy for 33 points and 14 rebounds, four of which were offensive. The Suns still lost the game by 4 points and it was one of a 6-game losing streak for the Suns.