The Los Angeles Lakers are one loss away from postseason elimination after a third consecutive lopsided defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Deandre Ayton’s sudden drop-off has emerged as the club’s most pressing dilemma.
The center, signed last summer to stabilize the frontcourt, logged just 24 minutes in Saturday’s Game 3, finishing with 10 points and six rebounds. After converting 60.4% of his shots during the regular season, Ayton is hitting only 39.3% in the series and went 3-for-11 in the restricted area over the first two contests.
Redick yanks Ayton after rebound fiasco
Head coach JJ Redick pulled Ayton in the third quarter when Oklahoma City grabbed three offensive boards in a 19-second span, a sequence capped by Ayton fouling Ajay Mitchell on a drive. With backup Jaxson Hayes ineffective in 8:30 of action, Redick inserted rookie Adou Thiero to patrol the paint, but the Thunder secured another offensive rebound on a missed free throw moments later. Hayes watched from the bench with folded arms, shaking his head in frustration.
“DA is a hell of a player. We all know it,” guard Marcus Smart said. “We just want to get him touches early to give them a different look.”
Ayton owns an $8.1 million player option for next season and must decide by June 29. His postseason struggles echo last year’s first-round loss to Minnesota, when Redick ultimately abandoned traditional centers.
Doncic absence clouds evaluation
Los Angeles is on the brink of elimination before injured star Luka Doncic can return from a hamstring strain, limiting the team’s ability to gauge its true ceiling. “When you have the league’s leading scorer out there it definitely changes the dynamic,” guard Luke Kennard said. “Right now, he’s not.”
LeBron shows wear as Thunder surge
LeBron James appeared fatigued while Oklahoma City seized control in the third quarter. The 39-year-old logged nearly 11 minutes in the period but managed just one made field goal, no rebounds and a minus-13 plus-minus rating.
Thunder versatility stymies adjustments
Redick acknowledged that matching the league’s deepest roster has become a game-to-game puzzle he has yet to solve. “This team in-game, because of their personnel, can just adjust like that,” he said. “They need shooting? Great. Multiple wing defenders? Great. Two bigs? Great.”
Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night at Crypto.com Arena, where the Lakers must win to extend their season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
