The Los Angeles Lakers emphasized defense and rebounding ahead of their first-round duel with the Houston Rockets. On Friday night—in a culmination of his last three games—Deandre Ayton epitomized LA’s efforts.
The 7-footer dominated the glass in Game 6, grabbing 16 rebounds to counteract a quiet seven-point showing. As the Lakers head into the second round against the defending champion Thunder, it seems LeBron James won’t be the only one required to set the tone.
‘Locked In’ Deandre Ayton Vital for Lakers’ Second Round Hopes
“Get Every Damn Rebound”
The eighth-year big man was responsible for nearly a third of LA”s 54 rebounds Friday night, displaying aggression and activity that wasn’t always present in the regular season. After the Lakers’ win, Ayton outlined his mentality:
“You have to match their physicality in a way where it’s contagious to your teammates as well. I just tried to play as I am, the biggest dude on the court, and just go and get every damn rebound. … When there were switches, I took advantage of the glass, and when I’m in pick and roll, I had position to box out and grab an O-board as well. It was just things I was really picking out throughout the series of where I could really affect the game if I couldn’t score.”
Ayton’s success beyond scoring was evident in the back half of the series. Through Games 4, 5 and 6, he averaged 14.7 points, 14.3 rebounds and one block on 62.5% shooting.
His defense on two-time All-Star Alperen Sengun was just as impressive. Throughout the series, Ayton held Sengun to 13-35 shooting from the field (37%), forcing a 20-point-per-game scorer into botched layups or awkward turnaround jumpers.
“JJ really challenged me about guarding Sengun one-on-one … We just wanted to go back on how we guarded them if KD were out there. Guard them straight up and I took the challenge to my chin. Just putting the team on my back and them trusting me” – Ayton on his defense pic.twitter.com/rlsGUhnl8W
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 2, 2026
Marcus Smart: Ayton “Played His Ass Off”
Ayton’s contagious energy was in fact noticed by his teammates, chiefly by Marcus Smart, who continued to sing Ayton’s praises.
“DA, he played his ass off—excuse my language—but he was locked in from the start to the finish. He kept his composure, and he really set the tone for us on the defensive end. It allowed me to do what I do, and everybody else to galvanize, come together, and do our thing.”
Smart also revealed Ayton’s bold message to the team: “Wait ‘til I get to the playoffs.”
“It’s a different side of him that fans haven’t seen, that we expect, that we know he can give. He knows it, and he’s ready. … He’s huge, man. I have nothing more to say. I could sit here and talk all day about DA. I love him, I’m proud of him, and I’m proud to see that he’s finally getting that confidence that he’s been looking for and playing very well.”
Ayton Must Right the Ship as Lakers Battle Thunder
With the Lakers once again being written off in the postseason, the team must lean on the same skills and mentality that allowed them to survive Houston’s comeback attempt. Ayton needs to stay hungry heading into Paycom Center against OKC’s standout bigs, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. In their first-round sweep over Phoenix, Holmgren averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, while Hartenstein put up 11.0 points and 8.3 rebounds—including 4.5 on the offensive end.
Throughout the regular-season series, the Thunder limited Ayton to 5.8 points and 4.8 rebounds on 52.4% shooting. But after gaining momentum in the playoffs, he should be chomping at the bit to prove doubters wrong and help the Lakers make a statement. Limiting two 7-footers who grab boards for breakfast is a tall task. However, if Ayton has shown anything in the last few games, it’s that he’s up for a challenge anytime, anywhere, and he could finally live up to his X-factor status as the LA eyes an upset.
TV/start times for the first four games of the co ference semifinals pic.twitter.com/kgCs5XWnJZ
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) May 2, 2026
© Erik Williams-Imagn Images
