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In his first season in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform, center Deandre Ayton hasn't been dealt the most successful cards. Playing behind three stars in Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, Ayton's season averages have been lower than seasons in the past.
After missing the Lakers' win over the Indiana Pacers on March 6 with knee soreness, Ayton has found his groove once again. In Los Angeles' win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, he finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. The very next game, in a win against the Chicago Bulls, he registered 23 points and 10 rebounds.
His production in the Lakers' lineup couldn't have come at a better time in the season, and the 27-year-old center discussed this subject after their win over the Chicago Bulls.
Ayton: 'I finally caught up with the team.'
The idea in bringing in Deandre Ayton was for him to fill a large hole in the front court of the lineup. It's been rocky at times this season, but getting the center to continue these efforts is the goal.
"Teams have been coming in, and throughout the whole season, teams have been winning that scrap game and that effort game," Ayton said, according to Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation. "So I feel like we've tightened it up to where it's become a thing of us."
"Felt like I picked up my energy and my focus," Ayton said. "You know, I finally caught up with the team. That's about it.
The Lakers have strung together a successful stretch of games. While riding a four-game win streak, Los Angeles has surged into the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference standings.
However, seeds three through seven in the Western Conference are separated by just two games. The Los Angeles Lakers will need to continue building momentum with a healthy squad.
Los Angeles has 16 games remaining in the regular season. Their next matchup is against the No. 5 Denver Nuggets at home on March 14.
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