Phoenix Suns: Top 10 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season

8. Deandre Ayton goes off for career high in blistering second quarter

The first time Deandre Ayton met Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ big man recorded a 35-point triple-double on a perfect 11-of-11 shooting in a blowout win. Suffice it to say the Suns rookie took that roasting personally, and responded with the best game of his young career the next time they met.

In that Dec. 29 rematch, Ayton ignited for a career-high 33 points and 14 rebounds, most of which came in his blistering second quarter. Ayton notched 24 points on 12-of-13 shooting in that period alone, scoring the majority of his points by running the floor, grabbing offensive boards for put-backs and converting easy looks on the short roll.

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1079256438864670720

Though he and the Suns were ultimately undone by Jamal Murray‘s 46-point explosion in a 122-118 loss, Ayton won his individual matchup with Jokic, who finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

In a season filled with losses to superior teams, it was encouraging to see the way Ayton took his licks in the first meeting and responded with the kind of effort and energy that will make him unstoppable with time and a little seasoning.