Suns lose Ayton, Payne to injuries in loss to Rockets

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton and guard Cameron Payne left Tuesday's 111-97 loss to the Houston Rockets in the first half with a left ankle ailment and right foot injury, respectively.

Neither player returned for the second half.

Both exited to the locker room at different points in the second quarter. Ayton, escorted by a trainer but walking under his own power, limped off the court with seconds remaining in the first half. He suffered the injury after inadvertently stepping on Kevin Porter Jr.'s foot with just over a minute remaining. Ayton turned his ankle while simultaneously bumping knees with the Rockets guard.

The 24-year-old Ayton was averaging 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds entering the matchup against Houston. Payne was registering 12.5 points and 5.5 assists per game, both career-best marks.

The Suns - now on a five-game losing streak - were already without star Devin Booker (hamstring) and starting forward Cameron Johnson (knee).