LOS ANGELES — Deandre Ayton answered the criticism that followed his quiet season debut by delivering 15 points and eight rebounds on 7-for-11 shooting as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 24, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. The 106-98 victory was the club’s first after an opening-night loss to the Golden State Warriors.
“I’m super poised when it comes to the game,” Ayton said postgame. “Everybody wants me to be this number guy, but I let the game come to me.”
The 7-footer noted that opposing defenses are already forcing Los Angeles to adjust. “Teams are watching film on us,” he explained. “They know what we want and they’re making us play a different way. We have to move the ball quite a bit, and Luka has to dissect their defense to open up the floor.”
Ayton’s presence filled the void the Lakers felt during last spring’s playoff loss to Minnesota, when the roster lacked a true center. His rim runs and screens created space for newcomers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to operate in pick-and-roll sets that head coach Darvin Ham has emphasized early in the season.
Building Rapport with Doncic and Reaves
Despite Friday’s success, Ayton acknowledged that timing with the backcourt remains a work in progress. “I’m probably a confusing big,” he said. “Whether I can roll or stand in the pocket probably gets a little difficult for them sometimes. There are times where I can finish my roll, and others where I have to linger around the free-throw line just to be available.”
The center believes more reps against varied defensive coverages will sharpen that connection. “We just need to play some more and face great teams like we did Tuesday to really see what the common coverages are,” he added.
The Lakers return to action Sunday night, looking to build on the chemistry that helped them secure their first win of the campaign.
Source: Lakers Nation
