After a rocky stretch that saw his production dip and his crunch-time minutes handed over to Jaxson Hayes, Deandre Ayton might be finding his rhythm again - and just in time for a Lakers team still searching for consistency.
Ayton, who opened the 2025-26 season with promise on both ends of the floor, had recently struggled to maintain that early impact. Head coach JJ Redick had been opting for Hayes down the stretch of games, a clear sign that Ayton’s play wasn’t meeting expectations. But on a night when the Lakers needed a spark following a tough loss to Cleveland, the big man responded in a big way.
Against the undersized Washington Wizards, Ayton reminded everyone why the Lakers made him a focal point of their frontcourt. He poured in 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds on an ultra-efficient 12-of-14 shooting from the field, adding a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
It wasn’t just the box score that stood out - it was how he got those numbers. Ayton bullied his way to the rim, used his length to dominate the glass, and ran the floor with purpose.
LeBron James took notice - and made sure Ayton stayed involved. After the win, James didn’t mince words: “It’s our job to feed him.
Feed the beast,” he said via Spectrum SportsNet. “Tonight, he was very active… he started off with good energy, was dunking a lot too, that’s great for us, and rebounding.
When he’s rebounding, it gives us an opportunity to get out and play fast.”
That last part is key. When Ayton is locked in and controlling the boards, it allows the Lakers to push the pace - something Redick has been emphasizing as he continues to shape this team’s offensive identity.
And in the halfcourt, Ayton’s presence as a pick-and-roll finisher has been invaluable. Whether it’s LeBron or Luka Doncic running the show, Ayton has emerged as the most reliable roll man on the roster.
He rewarded both stars against Washington, finishing lobs, carving out space in the paint, and capitalizing on every mismatch.
This version of Ayton - the one who’s active, engaged, and playing with force - is the version the Lakers need if they want to stay competitive in a loaded Western Conference. The team still has questions to answer when it comes to frontcourt depth behind Ayton and Hayes, but for now, the focus is on keeping the big man locked in.
JJ Redick knows it too. The rookie head coach has his offense humming more efficiently of late, and Ayton’s resurgence has played a big role in that. Redick emphasized that keeping Ayton involved isn’t just a luxury - it’s a necessity.
The Lakers will need that same energy and production when they face the New York Knicks on Sunday - a team that brings far more size and physicality than Washington. That matchup should offer a clearer picture of whether Ayton’s bounce-back performance was a one-off or the beginning of a more consistent stretch.
But if the Lakers really are going to “feed the beast,” as LeBron put it, then Ayton has to keep showing up like this - active on the glass, a force in the paint, and a reliable option in the pick-and-roll. Because when he plays like that, the Lakers look a lot more like the team they believe they can be.