'Going to be fun': Deandre Ayton looking forward to matchup with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has had his share of moments against reigning two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, but his biggest ones might have come off the court.
After the Denver Nuggets won back-to-back overtime road games against the Suns in the 2020-21 season, Jokic gave Ayton major props.
“He’s amazing, give the guy credit,” Jokic said after the Suns lost in double overtime on Jan. 23, 2021, to Denver in Phoenix. “He’s amazing. He’s really solid. He knows what he knows. The best thing is that a young player can have that mindset. He played really good defense. He stopped me five, six, seven, eight times. Give that guy credit. He was really good.”
Months later, the Suns swept Denver in the Western Conference semifinals and Jokic sent Ayton an autographed Nuggets jersey with a special message after the series.
— Deandre Ayton (@DeandreAyton) June 17, 2021
“To My Brother DA U Are Beast!!! Keep Up The Good Work!!!”
Now Ayton will face Jokic again in this year’s conference semifinals. Game 1 is set for Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver. The two bigs have split their 14 head-to-head matchups counting the playoffs.
“It’s going to be fun,” Ayton said after Phoenix’s Game 5 closeout win Tuesday over the Clippers at Footprint Center. “They’re the best. Suns basketball, we want to compete and beat the best. That’s what we’re looking forward to. We know it’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be a great series where mano play against mano.”
Ayton is 4-0 against Jokic in the playoffs courtesy of that 2021 postseason sweep. Now the Nuggets start this series at the No. 1 seed in the West with homecourt advantage over the fourth-seeded Suns.
"It's going to be fun."
Deandre Ayton when asked about his matchup against two-time #NBA MVP Nikola Jokic in Western Conference semifinals.
Split 14 matchups counting #NBAPlayoffs .#Suns swept #Nuggets in 2021 West semifinals.
Denver No. 1 seed this year, Phoenix 4th seed. pic.twitter.com/tm9MkQYKw6— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 27, 2023
Jokic is the better overall player, and has averaged more points and rebounds in their 14 head-to-head matchups, but Ayton brings a level of athleticism that’s been a challenge for Jokic over the years, particularly when guarding him.
More: Here's the Suns' Western Conference semifinals schedule against Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic vs. Deandre Ayton stats
Jokic: 26.9 ppg (59.4% FG), 11.9 rpg., 7.2 apg.
Ayton: 18.9 ppg. (59.8%) 11.6 rpg., 0.9 apg.
Since Ayton can stay in front of him in the post and contest, Jokic typically takes him outside to the 3-point line to launch or to the free throw line to find cutters for in-close baskets.
Jokic is 17-of-50 from 3 in the Ayton matchups. He's also visited the free throw line more, going 68-of-89 to Ayton’s 29-of-37.
However, Jokic has also had five games in which he’s committed at least four turnovers against Phoenix with Ayton in the lineup. For his career, Jokic is averaging 2.9 turnovers over the course of eight seasons.
The five-time All-Star had eight in Denver’s 140-130 home loss that gave Phoenix its 60th win in the 2021-22 season. The Suns won a franchise-best 64 games that season and earned the top overall seed in the playoffs.
Jokic took his last matchup against Ayton in Denver’s 128-125 overtime win Christmas Day this season at home. He cranked out a dominant triple double of 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists.
Ayton posted a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds, but he committed six turnovers in the loss.
Below is a Jokic-Ayton stat breakdown of the 14 games between the two.
2018-19 regular season (Ayton’s rookie year)
Oct. 20: at Denver 119, Phoenix 91
Jokic: 35 points (11-of-11 FGs), 11 rebounds, 11 assists, four steals.
Ayton: 5 points (2-of-7 FGs) eight rebounds, five fouls.
Dec. 29: Denver 122, at Phoenix 118
Jokic: 23 points (8-of-11 FGs), eight rebounds, nine assists, four turnovers.
Ayton: 33 points (16-of-20 FGs), 14 rebounds, one assist, four steals.
Jan. 12: at Phoenix 102, Denver 93
Jokic: 23 points (8-of-15 FGs), 10 rebounds, four assists.
Ayton: 22 points (9-of-18 FGs), 13 rebounds, three blocks.
2019-20 regular season
Feb. 8: Denver 117, at Phoenix 108
Jokic: 23 points (9-of-19 FGs), nine rebounds, six assists, six turnovers.
Ayton: 28 points (13-of-21 FGs), 19 rebounds, five turnovers, five fouls.
2020-21 regular season
Jan. 1: Phoenix 106, at Denver 103
Jokic: 17 points (7-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, 11 assists, five fouls.
Ayton: 22 points (10-of-13 FGs), 11 rebounds, four turnovers.
Jan. 22: Denver 130, at Phoenix 126 (OT)
Jokic: 31 points (15-of-27 FGs), 10 rebounds, eight assists.
Ayton: 27 points (11-of-13 FGs), 13 rebounds.
Jan. 23: Denver 120, at Phoenix 112 (2 OT)
Jokic: 29 points (9-of-21 FGs), 22 rebounds, six assists, six turnovers.
Ayton: 17 points (7-of-14 FGs), 13 rebounds, six fouls.
More: The Republic's writers explain what Suns must do to win Game 1 vs. Nuggets
2021 Western Conference semifinals
Game 1: at Phoenix 122, Denver 105
Jokic: 22 points (10-of-23 FGs), nine rebounds, three assists, four turnovers.
Ayton: 20 points (9-of-13 FGs), 10 rebounds.
Game 2: at Phoenix 123, Denver 98
Jokic: 24 points (9-of-17 FGs), 13 rebounds, six assists.
Ayton: 15 points (6-of-10), 10 rebounds
Game 3: Phoenix 116, at Denver 102
Jokic: 32 points (13-of-29 FGs), 20 rebounds, 10 assists.
Ayton: 10 points (4-of-8 FGs), 15 rebounds.
Game 4: Phoenix 125, at Denver 118
Jokic: 22 points (9-of-17 FGs), 11 rebounds, four assists (ejected for flagrant 2 foul on Cameron Payne).
Ayton: 12 points (6-of-10 FGs), seven rebounds, four fouls.
More: Kevin Durant praises Devin Booker's 'spiritual' third quarter, but bench questions linger for Suns
2021-22 regular season
Oct. 20: Denver 110, at Phoenix 98
Jokic: 27 points (13-of-22 FGs), 13 rebounds
Ayton: 15 points (6-of-10 FGs), six rebounds
March 24: Phoenix 140, at Denver 130
Jokic: 28 points (9-of-10 FGs), six rebounds, 6 assists, 8 turnovers.
Ayton: 16 points (8-of-14 FGs), seven rebounds, five fouls.
2022-23 regular season
Dec. 25: at Denver 128, Phoenix 125
Jokic: 41 points (16-of-25 FGs), 15 rebounds, 15 assists.
Ayton: 22 points (9-of-18 FGs), 16 rebounds, six turnovers.
More: Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets picks, predictions: Who wins NBA Playoffs series?
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: Head-to-head: Nuggets' Nikola Jokic vs. Suns' Deandre Ayton
