In a thrilling showdown, the Lakers fell to the Suns, 113-110, in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last possession. However, the spotlight fell on Deandre Ayton, whose performance was less than stellar.
Ayton managed just two points and four rebounds, hitting only one of his three field goal attempts. This was particularly surprising given the Suns' decision to forgo a traditional center for much of the game.
Mark Williams, stepping in as the Suns’ center, played a mere 13 minutes, yet the team's guards and forwards effectively neutralized Ayton’s presence in the paint. Adding fuel to the fire, Clint Capela of the Rockets took to Instagram to poke fun at Ayton's struggles, urging him to capitalize on the talents of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, who were orchestrating plays on the floor.
Capela's comments came on the heels of Ayton's own jab at him after the Lakers' recent loss to the Magic, suggesting Ayton didn’t want to be compared to Capela. The Swiss center didn't miss the chance to return the favor, especially after Ayton was benched just two minutes into the fourth quarter, replaced by LeBron in a small-ball lineup.
This season, Ayton has been averaging 13.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks over 50 games, shooting an impressive 66.5% from the field. Yet, his playing time tonight was limited to 23 minutes, a dip from his usual 28-minute average. Following the Lakers' latest defeat, Ayton hinted at dissatisfaction with his role, expressing a desire to be more than just a lob-catching big man.
Currently in the first year of a two-year, $16.2 million contract with a player option for the second year, Ayton’s future with the Lakers could be in question if his concerns aren’t addressed. The franchise has reportedly tried various strategies to boost his confidence, but with performances like tonight’s, they might reassess their roster decisions come summer.
With only 24 games left in the regular season, this victory brings the Suns within striking distance of the sixth spot in the Western Conference, posing a direct challenge to the Lakers. The Lakers, now 34-24, have played two fewer games than the Suns, who improved to 34-26. With the standings tightening, the Lakers will need Ayton to elevate his game as they push towards the playoffs.