Published 12:47 IST, December 18th 2019
Deandre Ayton insists diuretic ingestion was an 'unintentional mistake'
Pheonix Suns star Deandre Ayton addressed the media before his return from his 25-game suspension. Admits it was an unintentional mistake yet a big mistake
Pheonix Suns centre DeAndre Ayton returned from his 25-game suspension on Tuesday night to face the Los Angeles Clippers. He played the first game of the season against the Sacramento Kings on October 23 and was subsequently suspended by the NBA after testing positive for diuretics. The 21-year-old addressed his suspension to the media admitting that the diuretic incident was nothing but an unintentional mistake.
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DeAndre Ayton was the No 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft where he averaged 16.3 points per game in his rookie season. After being banned by the NBA right after the first game of the season, DeAndre Ayton addressed the media for the first time since his suspension by the NBA. The 21-year-old playing only in his second season in the NBA took a mature approach in handling the situation admitting it was his biggest mistake albeit an unintentional one. Ayton wants to put the incident behind him insisting that he'd rather look to learn from the mistake. DeAndre Ayton tried to clarify the diuretic situation suggesting he ingested the banned substance unknowingly but accepted his suspension.
DeAndre returns against Clippers
DeAndre Ayton returned on Tuesday night for the Suns in their 120-99 loss to the LA Clippers. Ayton recorded 18 points, 12 rebounds and three assists for the Suns. The Pheonix Suns drop to 10th in the Western Conference with an 11-16 (win-loss record). The Suns will take on Oklahoma City Thunder next on Friday night.
DeAndre Ayton on being back from suspension
Updated 13:57 IST, December 18th 2019