When the Los Angeles Lakers missed another opportunity to close out their first-round NBA playoff series against the Houston Rockets in Game 5 on Wednesday, most of their players didn’t play up to their standards. LeBron James missed all six of his 3-point attempts, Austin Reaves shot 4-of-16 from the field, Marcus Smart had six turnovers and Luke Kennard had just one point.
But Deandre Ayton, as he often has in this series, played at a high level. He went 9-of-14 from the field and scored 18 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, blocked two shots and played physical positional defense on Alperen Sengun. The center said after Game 5 that he’s “on a whole different mission” to prove himself.
“This is the postseason and there’s really no slacking at all… I’m on a whole different mission as well. Not only winning games for the Lakers but just trying to change the whole narrative of who I am. I’m trying to put this display on that I love this game and that I am a two-way player.”
When the Lakers signed Ayton this past summer, many felt that he would let the team down. He had reportedly displayed self-centered behavior during the previous two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, and he also had a reputation for being soft and lacking consistency.
There have certainly been times this season when Ayton seemed to lack intensity and aggression. But he seems to be adequately locked in during the playoffs, and while the Lakers are in trouble, as they hold a diminishing 3-2 series lead and face a Game 6 in Houston, Ayton isn’t to blame.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Deandre Ayton: ‘I’m on a whole different mission’
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
