Deandre Ayton Frustrated by Lakers’ 4-4 Homestand but Believes Turnaround Is Within Reach
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Center Deandre Ayton voiced disappointment after the Los Angeles Lakers closed an eight-game homestand at 4-4, falling 110-109 to the Orlando Magic on Monday night despite his 21 points and 13 rebounds.
“It’s a bit upsetting,” Ayton said postgame. “We’ve got about 24 games left, so we have a lot of chances to get in the best position we can.”
The Lakers had entered the stint at Crypto.com Arena on the heels of a 5-3 road swing, but late defensive lapses cost them against Orlando. Ayton pointed to missed stops, 50-50 balls, and second-chance scores as decisive factors. “Down the stretch we traded too many baskets,” he noted. “Loose balls and their offensive rebounds hit us with daggers.”
The 7-footer was most effective in the first half, netting 17 points on feeds from playmakers Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. “They kept telling me to do the same thing over and over,” Ayton said. “I tried to stay physical and finish as close to the rim as possible, especially when they believed in their switches.”
Los Angeles (record unspecified) travels next to face the Phoenix Suns, who trail the Lakers in the Western Conference and own a 2-1 edge in the season series. Ayton called the road matchup “crucial” as the playoff race tightens.
Earlier this week, the sixth-year pro highlighted a soaring alley-oop from James as one of the top plays of his career, underscoring the chemistry he hopes to replicate down the stretch.
Source: Lakers Nation
