In a moment that had Lakers fans cringing, Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder took a frustrating turn early in the fourth quarter. Center Deandre Ayton found himself at the center of criticism after a passive defensive sequence, where he failed to box out properly, allowing the Thunder to snatch back-to-back offensive rebounds and convert an easy layup by Ajay Mitchell. The play was a microcosm of the inconsistency that has plagued Ayton's season, and it led to an immediate substitution—he never returned to the floor.
Despite the 131-108 loss on Saturday, Lakers coach JJ Redick chose to take the high road when asked about Ayton's performance. Instead of dwelling on the mistake, Redick praised the big man's potential and reminded everyone of his crucial role in the team's recent success. "I've been around DA for a season now," Redick said. "I know how special he is for our group to succeed. I told him this morning, in the Houston series, he was a big part of the reason we were winning. I believe in him, and he's going to help us win tomorrow."
It's worth noting that Ayton's struggles in Game 3 stand in stark contrast to his strong showing against the Houston Rockets in the previous series. Against the Rockets, Ayton averaged 11.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, pulling down a total of 43 boards in the final three games of the series. He also delivered consistent, physical low-post defense against All-Star center Alperen Sengun, making every basket a hard-earned battle. That version of Ayton is exactly what the Lakers need now.
As the Lakers face elimination against the defending NBA champions, they don't necessarily need Ayton to light up the scoreboard. What they do need is his inspired defense and relentless rebounding—the kind of effort that can keep them alive for at least one more game. Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena on Monday will be a true test of whether Ayton can bounce back and prove his coach's faith is well-placed.