“Deandre Ayton pulled a Tyson Chandler”: When Phoenix Suns ran similar out-of-bounds play for 7’1″ center in 2017 and won the game on inbounds lob

The Phoenix Suns had one of the most iconic winning dunks and set social media on fire by running a similar play that the Suns had exhibited in 2017.

The Western Conference Finals have been nothing short of exciting finishes, especially Game 2 that saw the Suns dunk their way into winning the contest.

Game 2 was clearly high on drama, with Booker and Patrick Beverly colliding in the 3rd quarter. This resulted in the Phoenix star busting his nose and missing a portion of the quarter.

However, Booker would return to the game with two stitches to his nose and would go on to score a clutch basket that would give Suns the edge in the 4th quarter.

The Suns saw Cameron Payne and Deandre Ayton step up during Game two as Booker struggled from the field. Booker, who was sensational in Game one, hit a shooting slump in Game two as he shot a dismal 31.3% from the field.

Also Read: Is Kawhi Leonard playing Game 2 against the Phoenix Suns? Los Angeles Clippers release new update regarding their talisman’s injury

The Clippers, who were leading by one point with 8 tonnes of a second remaining, were left stunned by an iconic game-winning dunk by Deandre Ayton. One of the most incredible plays of recent time designed by coach Monty Williams.

Phoenix Suns repeated a play they ran in 2017 for Deandre Ayton

Jae Crowder’s lob to Deandre Ayton for a dunk might be one of the best plays in recent times. That resulted in the Suns winning Game two.

DEANDRE AYTON FOR THE WIN AT THE DEATH pic.twitter.com/QcMNogV8sF

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 23, 2021

However, this is not the first time the Arizona team displayed such a spectacular play. During a regular-season game in 2017, the Suns had performed a similar play designed by then-coach Jay Triano.

The play had Dragon Bender throw the ball towards the basket as Tyson Chandler performed an incredible dunk resulting in the Suns beating the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Suns are familiar with game-winning alley-oops. Throwback to Tyson Chandler pic.twitter.com/CR2PGiBuPL

— Ty Jäger (@TheTyJager) June 23, 2021

The former Suns center even reacted to the game-winning dunk by a tweet.

That looks familiar 👀

— Tyson Chandler (@tysonchandler) June 23, 2021

The following play had raised quite a few eyebrows during the time, with some of the pundits and analysts considering it as interference with the basket.

However, this misconception was later cleared as the rule book stated for either goaltending or basketball interference to occur, a ball that is alive must enter the cylindrical area after having been legally touched on the playing court.

All players must consider this type of play as an ordinary throw-in and anyone may attempt to gain possession of the ball without penalty.

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The Suns are up 2-0 in their first conference first finals appearance in over 10 years. Game two will definitely go down in the history books as one of the greatest.

Monty Williams has once again proven his case for one of the best coaches in recent times. Another interesting observation here was how Devin Booker was present in both the above instances during the clutch time of the game.