Deandre Ayton didn’t just have a good night on Sunday - he had a historic one. In the Los Angeles Lakers’ dominant win over the Toronto Raptors, Ayton turned in a performance that was as efficient as it was impactful, delivering exactly what the Lakers have been hoping to see from their big man in his first season with the team.
Deandre Ayton vs Toronto:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 19, 2026
25 PTS
13 REB
10-10 FG
The only player this season with a 25/10 game on 100 FG%. pic.twitter.com/bXLVW6gxgp
Ayton, now in his eighth NBA season, is finding his rhythm in L.A., and it’s starting to show in how seamlessly he’s finishing plays created by the likes of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. That trio has been doing the heavy lifting in terms of playmaking, but Ayton’s ability to capitalize on those opportunities is what’s turning good offensive possessions into great ones.
Against Toronto, Ayton was flawless - literally. In 33 minutes, he racked up 25 points, 13 rebounds, an assist, and a block while going a perfect 10-for-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
According to StatMuse, that makes him the first player this season to post a stat line of at least 25 points and 10 rebounds without missing a single shot. That’s not just efficient - that’s rare air.
It was the kind of performance that not only helped the Lakers cruise past the Raptors but also reminded everyone of what Ayton can bring when he’s fully engaged and playing within the flow of the offense. He was active on the glass, decisive in the paint, and a steady presence on both ends of the floor.
The night didn’t start off smoothly for L.A., though. Toronto came out strong, jumping ahead 30-23 after the first quarter.
But the Lakers flipped the script quickly and decisively, outscoring the Raptors 87-63 over the final three quarters. Once they settled in, it was all Lakers - and Ayton’s efficiency set the tone.
Ayton wasn’t the only Laker to make noise. Luka Doncic matched him with 25 points of his own, adding seven assists, two boards, a steal, and a block. While his shooting wasn’t as clean (8-of-23 from the field, 5-of-12 from deep), Doncic was still a steady offensive engine, keeping the Raptors’ defense scrambling.
LeBron James chipped in with 24 points and seven assists, continuing to defy time with his all-around game. Rui Hachimura added 10 points, and Marcus Smart contributed eight points and five rebounds, rounding out a balanced effort from the Lakers’ supporting cast.
With the win, Los Angeles improved to 25-16 on the season, holding down the sixth spot in the Western Conference. They’re now half a game ahead of the Phoenix Suns and two games up on the Golden State Warriors, while sitting just a half-game behind the Houston Rockets and one game back of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Next up, the Lakers hit the road for a marquee matchup against the Denver Nuggets on January 20. If Ayton can keep this level of play rolling - and if the rest of the roster continues to click - the Lakers might be gearing up for a serious push in the West.