Los Angeles, CA – Deandre Ayton, the Los Angeles Lakers’ newly acquired center, turned heads on Sunday night with a standout performance that showcased his potential as a cornerstone for the team. In a 127-120 victory over the Sacramento Kings, the 7-foot former No. 1 overall pick delivered a commanding 22-point, 15-rebound double-double, shooting an efficient 10-of-17 from the field. Beyond the box score, Ayton’s post-game comments revealed a fiery dynamic within the Lakers’ locker room that’s fueling his early success in Los Angeles.
Ayton, who signed a two-year, $16.2 million deal with the Lakers in the offseason after two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, marked his first career double-double in purple and gold. The win improved the Lakers’ record to 2-1 in the young NBA season, a critical boost as the team navigates early injuries to key players like LeBron James, sidelined with sciatica, and Luka Doncic, who missed the Kings game due to a left finger sprain and lower leg contusion and is expected to be out for at least a week.
While Ayton’s on-court production was the headline, his candid remarks after the game offered a glimpse into the unique chemistry developing within the Lakers’ roster. The 27-year-old center credited his teammates for intentionally pushing his buttons to get him locked in before games. “They have their own little thing to get my head on,” Ayton said, singling out guard Austin Reaves and others for their role in firing him up. “My wings and my forwards, yeah, they be trying to get me ticked off before these games, just to get me rolling.”
Embed X: https://twitter.com/mcten/status/1982672655514997082
Ayton described the pre-game antics as relentless but effective. “I’m starting to see a trend because I don’t get a break until we’re on the court, then it’s all seriousness,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Oh, so this a thing y’all want to do. Y’all want to get me on edge. Y’all want me fired up.’ I like it, man. You’re teammates starting to know me. I haven’t had that in a while. Dudes really care.”
This revelation sheds light on the evolving camaraderie within the Lakers’ locker room under first-year head coach JJ Redick. For Ayton, who spent his first five NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns before a two-year stint in Portland, this sense of connection is a refreshing change. “Dudes really care,” he emphasized, hinting at a renewed sense of purpose in his eighth year in the league.
Ayton’s performance against the Kings was a testament to his potential as the Lakers’ starting center. In 30 minutes, he added two assists, a steal, and a block to his stat line, anchoring the paint on both ends of the floor. His ability to dominate against a Kings team missing key players highlighted his importance to a Lakers squad looking to stay competitive despite their injury challenges.
As the Lakers prepare for their next challenge—a back-to-back matchup against Ayton’s former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena—the big man’s comments suggest he’s embracing the intensity his teammates are bringing out in him. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on Ayton to see if he can channel that fire into another dominant performance.
For a Lakers team navigating an unsettled start to the season, Ayton’s emergence as a vocal and emotional leader could be the spark they need to keep pushing forward. As he put it, his teammates are learning what makes him tick—and they’re not afraid to keep him on edge.