The Phoenix Suns will reportedly be without Deandre Ayton on Thursday.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Ayton was ejected for Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets, who were leading 3–2 in the series.
Ayton took a shot after colliding with Nuggets guard Bruce Brown in Game 5 on Tuesday in the Suns' first quarter. ,
Ayton finished the game with 14 points and 9 rebounds in 32 minutes in the 118–102 loss. He is averaging 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in the series so far.
It is not clear how serious the rib injury is, but it is affecting Ayton enough that he is not to participate in Thursday's possible elimination game. It's unclear whether he'll be able to return this series should the Suns extend it to Game 7, which would be Sunday in Denver. Phoenix is also without star Chris Paul, who has been nursing a groin injury for most of the series.