The Los Angeles Lakers once again found a way to get another win, this time coming off LeBron James’ fourth-quarter heroics against the Philadelphia 76ers. But while he made headlines for his late-game shot-making and closeout steal, Deandre Ayton quietly put up his most efficient night in a Lakers uniform.
Ayton finished the game with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists, going a perfect 7/7 from the field with no turnovers. According to Real Sports, it’s the first time a Lakers’ starter has had a double-double with no misses or turnovers.
But after the game, head coach JJ Redick didn’t focus on his offensive performance, but rather, his play on the defensive end of the floor.
“I thought DA, in particular, led on that end of the floor for us. We just talked about it in the locker room; he did a ton of stuff,” Redick said to reporters after the game.
Following his coaches’ comments, Ayton went on to say he was baffled by the praise he got, adding that he was just doing what he had to do.
“I‘m gonna be real, I don’t know what (Redick) is talking about. I don’t even know,” he said. “I was asking, ‘What do you mean?‘ I just do what I have to do.”
Though Ayton still sits behind Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and James in the Lakers’ pecking order, he’s had a resurgence this season and has quieted the rumors that the franchise would be looking to add another big man to the roster.
Redick’s Praise of Ayton’s Defense
Ayton has never been known as a top-tier defender throughout his career. However, with the Lakers, he’s perhaps taken on a bigger rim-protecting role than when he was with the Phoenix Suns or Portland Trail Blazers. But besides in the paint, at least according to Redick, the seven-footer was everywhere on the court against the Sixers.
“We gave up 60 points in the first half, and then to come back in the second half and defend the way we did was awesome,” Redick added. “He was in drop being disruptive… Getting loose balls. He was blocking shots. He was switching on to [Tyrese] Maxey. Just whatever we needed him to do on that end of the floor in the second half, he was great.”
Per previous reporting, Ayton appears to be the type of player who responds well to positive reinforcement. But even after his coach’s comments, the center seemed in shock at the praise.
“No,” Ayton said when asked if he thought he played well defensively against Philadelphia. “I ain’t know what I did out there.”
Ayton held opposing center Joel Embiid to 16 points and seven rebounds, on a team-worst 4/21 shooting. Tyrese Maxey still found his points, but again, partially thanks to the help of the big man, he had four turnovers and couldn’t help Philly regain a late lead.
Ayton’s Perfect Offensive Game
Offensively, Ayton also had a standout performance, as mentioned. He didn’t miss a single shot or commit a single turnover, a crucial key for the Lakers’ four-point win. This season, he’s been strong offensively, averaging 15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds on 70% from the floor, and he’s been a consistent double-double for Los Angeles, a team that desperately needed some help in the paint.
“He’s not a perfect player, but he’s an upgrade on what the Lakers had in the middle last season. And when he’s at his best, like he was on Sunday, Ayton can be a very positive force without needing a whole lot of usage to do it,” Billy Heyen wrote for The Sporting News.
“The Lakers’ ball-handlers have continued to figure out how best to involve Ayton, and as that continues to come together, he’s able to put together games like this one, where he could do no wrong.”
Those ball handlers, in the form of Doncic and Reaves, didn’t exactly match Ayton’s efficiency in the game. Doncic was everywhere, finishing with 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists, though on 9/24 shooting with five turnovers. Reaves made only three of his 16 shots, finishing with 11 points.
While it’s been those two mainly for the Lakers this season, it’s fair to say the game against the Sixers was James’ best since debuting this season. He had 29 points, ten of which came consecutively in the fourth quarter, along with seven rebounds and six assists.
“I mean, that was amazing,” Doncic said of his teammate. “That was vintage Bron. We’re happy he was there to save us.”
The Lakers have now won 10 games in a row, and are second in the West at 17-6.
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