Lakers' Deandre Ayton Sends Clear Message After Months of Scrutiny

Ayton's recent surge in production has been fueled by his increased effort and focus.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:42pm

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Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton has dealt with increased scrutiny in recent weeks, as his first campaign with the team hasn't unfolded as he had hoped. However, Ayton appears to have turned a corner, posting a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds in the Lakers' 142-130 win over the Chicago Bulls. Ayton credited his recent surge in production to his increased effort and focus, saying the team is playing with a sense of urgency and competitiveness.

Why it matters

Ayton's strong play is crucial for the Lakers, as he provides a dependable frontcourt presence that the team has missed since Anthony Davis' departure. His ability to impact the game as a scorer and rebounder can raise the team's ceiling and change the makeup of the squad.

The details

Ayton displayed tremendous activity on both ends of the floor against the Bulls, providing solid rim protection defensively while being active on the offensive glass for scoring opportunities near the basket. His six offensive rebounds, which tied his season high, helped him secure several easy baskets at the rim and fueled his 20-point performance.

  • On March 10, 2026, Ayton posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds in the Lakers' win over the Bulls.
  • In recent weeks, Ayton has dealt with increased scrutiny regarding his performance on the court.

The players

Deandre Ayton

A 27-year-old center for the Los Angeles Lakers who has dealt with increased scrutiny in recent weeks due to his fluctuating role and performance on the court.

JJ Redick

The head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, who is encouraged by Ayton's recent level of consistency and believes he is an X-factor for the team.

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What they’re saying

“Felt like I picked up my energy and my focus. I finally caught up with the team. We're playing really hard. We're playing with a sense of urgency. We're playing together. I think we're emphasizing competitiveness. We're competing in every aspect. Effort, 50-50 chances and just really attacking the ball on both ends and closing out these possessions and just being pretty scrappy.”

— Deandre Ayton (SI.com)

“As a team, we have been trying to find and build towards consistency. That's the individual, that's the group. We know what DA is capable of. I think Austin [Reaves] said this recently: He is an X factor for us, if not the X factor. Because him playing at a high level raises our ceiling. It changes the makeup of our team.”

— JJ Redick, Head Coach (SI.com)

What’s next

The Lakers will be looking for Ayton to continue his improved play and increased effort through the rest of the season, as his ability to impact the game as a scorer and rebounder can be a key factor in the team's success.

The takeaway

Deandre Ayton's recent surge in production, fueled by his increased effort and focus, has been a positive sign for the Lakers. His ability to provide a dependable frontcourt presence and change the makeup of the team when he's playing at a high level could be crucial for the Lakers as they look to build towards consistency and make a push in the playoffs.