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Deandre Ayton delivered a strong two-way performance as the Los Angeles Lakers opened their first-round series with a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, April 18, at crypto.com Arena.
The center finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, playing a key interior role in a game shaped heavily by defense and physicality.
After the win, Ayton credited the coaching staff for setting the tone during preparation. “I could feel the trust JJ had in me all practice week,” he said, referring to Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
He emphasized how that trust influenced his approach entering the playoffs. “And it does a lot giving an NBA player confidence, especially in this league,” Ayton added.
Ayton also described his consistency during the week leading into the series. “And I really try my best to show them that I’m here and I’m ready throughout those practices, just being super and extremely consistent.”
The Lakers center acknowledged the physical nature of the postseason opener. “We overexaggerated a little bit on the defensive end, getting into foul trouble, but it’s the playoffs,” he said.
Despite those issues, he highlighted the team’s response. “I’m just glad we matched the physicality a little bit and we prolonged all the way to the stretch, end of the game, and got a win.”
A major assignment for Ayton was defending Alperen Sengun, who finished 6-for-19 from the field. He stressed the collective nature of that effort. “It takes the whole team to guard him.”
He expanded on that defensive structure and communication. “Just hearing my shifts and my low man just talking to me out there gave me more confidence to guard him,” Ayton said.
Ayton also underlined Sengun’s offensive quality. “He’s a really great player and he’s an all-star. Takes the whole team to really lock in and just try to be disruptive and just be in his way a little bit.”
The Lakers built their win around defensive pressure that limited Houston to 37.6% shooting while forcing difficult possessions throughout the game.
Ayton connected that approach to the team’s offensive rhythm. “I felt like the second efforts on the defensive end really got us moving a little bit.”
He also described how defense fuels transition offense. “Creating on the defensive end to start our offense and get us moving and just get us in offensive rhythm and get the crowd in it a little bit.”
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves unavailable, the Lakers leaned heavily on structure and communication, something Ayton believes defines their current identity.
Looking ahead to Game 2, he focused on rebounding and control. “Really just consistency on the boards,” Ayton said.
He pointed to Houston’s physical presence on the glass as an area to tighten. “They really were crashing the boards heavily and we gave them some easy possessions.”
Ayton closed by outlining the team’s adjustment mindset. “We go back in the lab and just lock in on that to see who’s really crashing and where our vital areas are.”
