Ayton Scores 26 as Suns Fall to Blazers in Overtime

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahamian Suns Center Deandre Ayton seems to already be in midseason form as he scored 26 points, Friday night against the Portland Trailblazers. 

The young center added 6 rebounds, 3 assists and one block, however, the Suns still fell to the Blazers by the slimmest of margins, losing 115 to 113.

Devin Booker of the Suns had 33 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists while venerable point guard Chris Paul had 10 points, and 12 assists and hounded opposition guards all night, swiping 5 steals. 

The Blazers were powered by all-star guard Damian Lillard, who scored 41 points to go with 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Center Jusuf Nurkic had 21 points and grabbed 17 rebounds.

The game was neck-and-neck through four quarters, with Lillard hitting an off-balance jumper to force overtime. 

In OT, guard Anfernee Simons hit a hook-shot in the lane with 7 seconds left to put the Blazers ahead to win the game. 

Ayton and The Suns face the Los Angeles Clippers in LA on Sunday night.