'They're going to boo your ass out of there': Ayton back at Madison Square Garden, site of first career 20-20 game

Arizona Republic

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Deandre Ayton just had his second career 20-20 game last month in a loss to Sacramento at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

The Suns (15-3) have won 14 straight games since, as their starting big was back in the building where he posted his first 20-20 game – Madison Square Garden – for Friday’s shootaround before facing the Knicks (10-8).

“It’s always good vibes in MSG,” Ayton said. “It’s just the energy and the atmosphere. People want to see great basketball no matter who the favorite team is. Stuff like that. You feel that energy and if it’s bad basketball, they’re going to boo your ass out of there on both ends. It don’t matter what it is.”

New York Knicks guard Elfrid Payton, right, defends as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) looks to pass during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in New York, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020.

Ayton recalls not realizing his first 20-20 until after Phoenix’s 121-98 win over the Knicks at MSG on Jan. 16, 2020. He finished with 26 points and 21 rebounds.

“I found out afterwards,” Ayton said. “I think Ricky (Rubio) threw me an alleyoop. That was a good game. That was a big game, too. Knicks put up a battle, too.”

Last season, Ayton had a near double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds at MSG as the Suns snapped a two-game skid in ending a five-game road trip.

The Knicks had won nine straight going into that game. On that April 26 night, Suns All-Star Devin Booker scored 33 points in what he said may have been his best game ever at Madison Square Garden.

Apr 26, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates his three point shot with teammate Devin Booker #1 in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

“I hit a big shot when I was young when (Eric Bledsoe) was on the team,” said Booker about his game-winning 3 in his second NBA season in 2016-17.

The Suns enter Black Friday’s game having won three in a row against the Knicks at the Garden.

“I think it’s the biggest stage in the NBA to be honest other than playing in the playoffs and the finals,” said Ayton as the Suns reached the NBA Finals last season.

“Regular season, this is one of the biggest stages. Everybody watching. Everybody expecting everybody to play hard and perform well.”

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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