The Los Angeles Lakers have the week off after earning their place in the NBA Playoffs. They’ll take the court on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. PT at Crypto.com Arena for Game 1 for their first round series against the Houston Rockets. Deandre Ayton, the Lakers starting center, will be playing a much larger than expected role.
He’ll likely be asked to carry a greater offensive load with both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out of the lineup. However, Ayton is less focused on that and is more focused on his excitement to be making his Lakers playoff debut.
“Yeah, I’m almost speechless,” Ayton said after practice on Wednesday. “Especially being on this side of town now, playing in L.A. This place can get pretty loud. I’m still just trying to go on and embrace everything. I know we haven’t ramped up yet coming out of these practices. You’re thinking about the environment, thinking about the fans, thinking about the first game as a Laker in the playoffs. Just trying to find some time to catch myself and gather and just relax. I’ve been here before, but I am truly excited.
“I want to do backflips. I’m in the purple and gold and I want to really just play hard as hell to contribute to wins.”
Ayton seems genuinely excited to have the opportunity to represent the Lakers in meaningful games. It’s exactly why he took a discount in the offseason to come to L.A. and be the starting center.
Hopefully, the excitement can turn into motivation and results. If the Lakers want any chance at getting Doncic and Reaves back healthy this season, they’ll likely have to win a round without them. The Rockets present many challenges with that, and Ayton describes one of those challenges.
“They’re super athletic and physical as well,” Ayton said. “Since I’ve been in the league, Houston always been a team where everybody is sending five at the glass and they’re pretty physical when it comes to that. That’s how they get their rhythm going and extra possessions and that’s what drives their team. We gotta match that.”
Saturday will give fans their first look at what the Lakers might be able to do in a serious game without their top two scorers. Ayton is undoubtedly going to play a major role with that.
Deandre Ayton looking forward to physical matchup
Ayton has been extremely focused on the physicality of the Rockets, and he’s excited to play in a series like that, as he believes the team’s best comes out when they can turn the intensity up.
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