Portland Trail Blazers star Deandre Ayton fails to make his return against the Nets because of heavy snowfall in his neighborhood. The sheets of ice couldn’t be cleared in time, resulting in Ayton missing the game.
Deandre Ayton is out tonight due to being stuck at home because of the sheets of ice in his neighborhood, per @CHold pic.twitter.com/dbBA9Betpg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 18, 2024
Ayton tried to figure out a way against the ice sheets for hours too, but failed. The Trail Blazers sent their staff to clear the path for him but it was in vain, thus thwarting the availability of the star.
Blazers sent people to help Ayton out of the sheets of ice in the neighborhood but were unsuccessful
He will miss tonight's game vs. the Nets pic.twitter.com/PJHMHS2Gol
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 18, 2024
Many fans have reacted to the news funnily as they think this is an unbelievable excuse. Driving on ice is dangerous and should not be taken lightly, and the people living in the neighborhood have come forward to defend against the trolls.
Anyone clowning @DeandreAyton for not playing or showing up tonight definitely doesn't live in the area and has NO idea how bad the weather conditions out here are. The city is literally completely frozen over, no 4WD/4×4 is enough to get through certain parts of the city.
— Rafal @ #RipCity (@rDomos) January 18, 2024
Anyone whining about @DeandreAyton being stuck after a concerted effort to be at the RG can fuck a 2×4. I also couldn't get out of my driveway for the game. Players are people you shits. So many shit ass toxic Blazer fans out there. Root for Miami you fuckheads #RipCity https://t.co/GCpLhaY3Z4
— JayChucksFrank (@JayChucksFrank) January 18, 2024
Even though the Trail Blazers missed Deandre Ayton, they got a narrow win over the Nets. They won 105-103 with Jerami Grant putting up a great performance with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and an assist. Anfernee Simons followed with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Deandre Ayton’s impact at the Trail Blazers
Deandre Ayton has been consistent for the Trail Blazers this season as he averages 13.1 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, and 1.6 assists per game over the 24 games he has played this season.
The unavailability of Ayton means the Trail Blazers played another game without the star this year. Ayton was brought in Blazers along with Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara, in a 3-team trade that saw Damian Lillard go to the Milwaukee Bucks and Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkić, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson to the Phoenix Suns. Before his unavailability today, he suffered a knee injury that kept him out of the court since December 23.
Portland Trail Blazers are struggling this season with a record of 11 wins and 29 losses as they sit 14th above the last-placed San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference.
The win breaks their 4-match losing streak and they would like to extend their win streak with their home game against Indiana Pacers next. With Deandre Ayton back from injury, it is expected that he will be on the court against the Pacers.
Read more: Damian Lillard pulls off a screamer in a thrilling overtime win against the Kings
