The Los Angeles Lakers dropped a tough one to the Oklahoma City Thunder, falling 119-110 in a game that exposed some of the cracks in their current rotation. Despite the loss, the Lakers still sit at a respectable 32-20 on the season, holding onto the fifth seed in the Western Conference. They've won eight of their last 11, and while the momentum is mostly trending in the right direction, the team now faces a new hurdle: the absence of Deandre Ayton.
Ayton has been ruled out of tonight’s game against the San Antonio Spurs due to right knee soreness, according to the team. And he's not the only one sidelined.
The Lakers are now down five key rotation players: Ayton, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart. That’s a significant chunk of the team’s core, and it puts even more pressure on the remaining healthy players to step up and carry the load.
Ayton’s absence is especially notable given how well he’s been playing. He’s quietly putting together one of his most efficient seasons, shooting 67.5% from the field while averaging 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
He’s been a reliable interior presence, and his recent performances against teams like the Knicks and Wizards showcased his ability to anchor the paint on both ends. Without him, the Lakers lose a stabilizing force in the middle - someone who can clean up the glass, finish around the rim, and alter shots defensively.
The timing of the injury is frustrating, but there’s optimism that it’s more precautionary than anything long-term. Ayton has been active off the court as well, recently hosting a basketball clinic for kids at the NBPA facility in New York. Supported by the Jamaican and Bahamian Consulates, the event saw Ayton connecting with around 50 young players, sharing laughs and even going one-on-one with a few of them.
“It fills me, for real, just seeing their smiles,” Ayton said. “And me being out there.
You saw me going at it against one of them. He’s about 6-4 and he tried to get at me.
I’m like, ‘Whoa … Whoa. Bro.
I got to keep these legs strong.’ In about 10 years, they are going to be knocking me over.
They are ready and I’m loving it. They so hip to the game and they know the terminology, so I just loved it, man.”
That kind of passion - both for the game and for giving back - is part of what makes Ayton such a valuable presence in the Lakers’ locker room. His energy and leadership off the court complement the physicality and efficiency he brings on it.
For now, the Lakers will have to navigate a short-handed stretch, and that means leaning on their depth and resilience. The good news?
This team has shown flashes of being able to weather adversity. If they can stay competitive while they wait for their stars to return, they’ll be in a strong position to make a serious push in the second half of the season.
But make no mistake - getting Ayton back healthy will be a major key. When he’s in rhythm, he gives the Lakers a reliable two-way option in the frontcourt that few teams can match.