2 min read • February 02, 2022
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A mid-January cluster of ankle sprains is beginning to correct itself as key starters for playoff hopefuls Phoenix, Minnesota, and New Orleans returned Tuesday night.
Suns center DeAndre Ayton, Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, and Timberwolves point guard Patrick Beverely all helped their teams to victory after missing multiple games.
Ayton has missed the last 7 games since suffering a right ankle sprain on Jan. 12, although Phoenix seemingly didn't miss a beat, winning each of its last 11 games with contributions from veterans Bismyack Biyombo and Javale McGree.
Ayton scored 12 points with 6 rebounds in 28 minutes in his return. McGee projects to keep his bench role while Biyombo will be relegated to spot minutes.
The 23-year-old has now endured multiple sprains on both ankles, protecting him against future tendon damage and long-term absences.
Ingram and Beverley each missed 5 games with right ankle sprains and, coincidentally, left their games early due to foul trouble, with Beverley playing only 15 minutes.
Ingram, like Ayton, has now suffered repeat sprains on his right ankle. The Pelicans won the game in his return behind 26 points from Ingram, moving their record to 17-20 with him and 2-12 without him.
The Timberwolves, who beat the Nuggets 130-115, are still without D'Angelo Russell, who suffered a shin contusion last Thursday and is day-to-day.
We reviewed available video and didn't find any clear injury, but he left the contest midway through the 2nd quarter.
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