Deandre Ayton MRI 'clean,' but listed out for Suns rematch vs. Kings

Monty Williams said an MRI on Deandre Ayton's injured right leg came back clean, but the Suns' starting big is listed as out for Monday's rematch at Sacramento.

"Structurally, he's fine," Williams said after Sunday's practice. "He's just got to get to a place where he's not playing with pain and soreness."

Ayton left the Oct. 30 game against Cleveland in the third quarter with a right leg contusion and didn't play Tuesday versus New Orleans.

After having his first on-court workout Wednesday since the injury, Ayton, wearing a sleeve on his leg, went for 16 points and 11 rebounds Thursday against Houston, but didn't play Saturday versus Atlanta.

So Phoenix (5-3) is on a four-game winning streak, but Ayton is hobbled.

Saturday's win was part of a 16-game November for the Suns.

With that type of schedule that includes three upcoming back-to-backs, the Suns won't have much practice time. Combine that with Ayton trying to find a comfort level with the pain and soreness of the leg, he might be out longer this time.

"It may take him a few games to get there, but we're confident with the medical assessment as to where he is," Williams said.

JaVale McGee has started in place of Ayton with Frank Kaminsky serving as his backup. The two combined for 35 points in a win over the Pelicans as McGee scored a season-high 18 while Kaminsky went for 17, also a season-high for him.

On Saturday night, McGee struggled with foul trouble and also got his eye scratched early after taking a hit from Clint Capela in finishing with six points, but Kaminsky hit his first six shots in scoring 16 points.

"I'm just trying to stay locked in," Kaminsky said after Saturday's game. "Playing in the NBA is an emotional roller coaster at times and I've learned that. This is my seventh season now. So I know what to expect. I just try to stay even keel. Never too high, never too low. Take the same approach every single day. Just stay ready."

Kaminsky added six rebounds, four assists and a blocked shot as his two-man game with Chris Paul was in full unison Saturday.

"It's a point guard's dream," Paul said. "He knows how to play in the pocket. If you hit him in that pocket, he knows how to make that next pass. If they want to be in a drop, he knows how to shoot the 3."

Kaminsky hit 2-of-3 from deep in the game as he is shooting a career-high 42.9% from 3 so far this season.

"Very impressive and not just on the offensive end," said Suns All-Star Devin Booker, who finished with a season-high 38 points. "The defensive end, too. Got to stay ready so you don't got to get ready. That's Frank for us. He's coming in locked in. He's giving us that extra umph that we need."

The Suns haven't lost since falling, 110-107, to the Kings (5-4) on Harrison Barnes' 3 over Booker a the buzzer.

"We felt that and it stung for a while, but we feel like we're playing better in a number of areas," Williams said. "Our conditioning is a lot better. Our multiple efforts are a lot better."

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Deandre Ayton MRI 'clean,' but listed out for Suns rematch vs. Kings