Los Angeles, CA — With the NBA playoffs set to tip off this weekend, Los Angeles Lakers starting center Deandre Ayton is brimming with excitement as he prepares for his first postseason game in Purple and Gold. Facing the Houston Rockets in the opening round, Ayton delivered a confident and energetic message, declaring he is so pumped that he wants to “do backflips” on the court.
Ayton, who will make his Lakers playoff debut in the first-round series, spoke openly about the unique emotions surrounding the moment. “You’re thinking about the environment, you think about the fans, thinking about the first game as a Laker in the playoffs,” he said on Wednesday. “So, I just try to find some time to catch myself, gather, and just relax.”
He added with visible enthusiasm: “I’ve been here before, but I am truly excited. I want to do backflips. I’m in the purple and gold, and I just want to really just play hard as hell to contribute to wins.”
The comments come at a critical time for the Lakers, who secured the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and will host the No. 5 Rockets in Game 1 on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Despite holding home-court advantage, Los Angeles enters the series shorthanded. Star guard Luka Doncic and key contributor Austin Reaves are sidelined with injuries, placing increased responsibility on Ayton and the remaining roster to step up in what promises to be a physically demanding matchup against a young, athletic Rockets team.
This season, Ayton has started all 72 regular-season games for the Lakers, averaging 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. While those numbers reflect a solid but not dominant contribution, his efficiency and rim protection will be vital in the postseason, especially with the Lakers needing more production from the center position amid their injury absences.
Ayton’s playoff experience dates back to his earlier years, but this marks a fresh chapter in Los Angeles. The big man acknowledged the heightened intensity of playoff basketball and expressed eagerness for the physical battles ahead, particularly on the boards and in the paint against Houston’s frontcourt.
For the Lakers, the series represents both opportunity and challenge. Home games in the first two contests could provide a crucial boost from the Crypto.com Arena crowd, but the absence of Doncic and Reaves means role players like Ayton must elevate their games significantly if Los Angeles hopes to advance.
Ayton’s bold, upbeat tone suggests he is embracing the moment rather than feeling the pressure. His desire to “play hard as hell” and contribute to wins captures the mindset the Lakers will need in what is expected to be a tightly contested series.
Game 1 between the Lakers and Rockets is set for Saturday night in Los Angeles. With Ayton leading the charge in the frontcourt and the home crowd behind them, the Lakers will look to channel that excitement into a strong start to their playoff run.