Every so often, we hear about an athlete who skipped media availability after a crushing loss, but it’s exceedingly rare that this happens after a big win.
Nevertheless, Suns big man DeAndre Ayton got out of dodge before reporters could speak to him after the Suns defeated the Nuggets, 121-114, to cut the deficit to 2-1 in their best-of-seven series in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Ayton was benched for the final 4:57 of the game in favor of Jock Landale, and did not appear to be very happy about it.
Cameras caught veteran Suns point guard Chris Paul, who has been out with a groin strain, attempting to support Ayton and give him a dap, only to have his efforts at consolation ignored.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that Ayton “exited the arena before the Suns’ locker room opened to media.”
After the game, Suns head coach Monty Williams gushed about Landale’s effort.
“He just scrapped,” Williams said of Landale. “You couldn’t point out anything that he did from a high-level skill perspective. But he just scrapped.”
Ayton shot 2-for-6 for the field on Friday, scoring four points and grabbing nine rebounds.
Diplomatically, Williams said it wasn’t Ayton’s best game.
“Guys have tough games, and DA didn’t have his best tonight, but it’s great to be able to have your brother pick it up for you,” the coach told reporters.
There has been friction between Ayton and the Suns’ organization for quite some time now.
Ayton and Williams had to be separated after a verbal spat during last year’s Game 7 playoff loss to the Mavericks, in which Ayton was benched.
While the Suns ultimately matched the Pacers’ four-year, $133 million restricted free agent offer to retain Ayton, the player and head coach did not communicate at all during the offseason.
“I haven’t spoken to Monty,” Ayton said during Suns training camp. “I haven’t spoken to him at all. Ever since the game.
“I can show him better than I can tell him. It’s life. Nobody cares about the uncomfortable nature of it, it’s how you preform and what you bring to the table. What’s said is already said.”