Lakers' Deandre Ayton flexes flashy new 'DominAyton' chain amid playoff struggles

Los Angeles Lakers center dropped a bold flex during the worst time for his team. The Lakers center showed off a custom diamond chain with "DOMINAYTON" inscribed while the team is losing big time in the playoff series.

Bleacher Report shared the video on social media with fire emojis. The pendant features a muscular figure holding a basketball globe design.

Ayton has "DOMINAYTON" inked in jagged capital letters across his upper back. The chain matches his well-known nickname and tattoo perfectly.

The timing turned this flex into a meme fest for NBA fans. The Lakers trail the defending champion Thunder 3-0 in their Western Conference semifinal series.

The top-seeded Thunder look for the 4-game sweep over the 4th-seeded Lakers. Oklahoma City took a commanding 3-0 series lead with a 131-108 win on Saturday.

Fans roasted Ayton hard in the replies for the jewelry flex. Some joked he should be called "HibernAyton" for disappearing in the playoffs.

Others called him delusional for rocking a chain about dominance right now. Critics said he should focus on the court instead of jewelry.

Ayton has never developed a reputation as a go-to star. His reputation has become that of a talented but unserious player.

The 27-year-old center was selected with the 1st overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. He later played for the Trail Blazers before joining LA.

On July 6, 2025, Ayton signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal is for 2 years and $16.6M with a player option.

He averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this regular season. Those are solid numbers but far from dominant for a former top pick.

The internet had no mercy with the jokes and meme clips. Fans on social media made fun of the chain, using it as a funny topic during the playoffs.

More NBA news:

• Draymond Green calls out NBA double standard over Victor Wembanyama ejection
• You need to see this photo of Victor Wembanyama's scratched up arm
• Why Steve Kerr refuses to blame SGA for Warriors' free throw woes
• Dallas Mavericks linked to back-injury-hit 18.2 PPG playmaker as No. 9 pick
• Ex-Lakers champion tells LeBron James to leave so Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves can lead
• LeBron James' stats in elimination games should have the Thunder scared