Deandre Ayton did not talk about numbers first; he wanted to talk about feeling. That says everything about where the Los Angeles Lakers are right now, after a statement 127-113 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a dominant March stretch where the Lakers went 15-2, Ayton pointed to something simple in the post-game press conference as the reason behind this dominance:
“It’s a lot of togetherness, communication. You know, we create a certain terminology out there playing in these battles where you know it’s next man up, and you have your brothers’ back. You’re playing for each other, and you’re defending for each other.”
“Ever since we turned up our defense a little bit more and the effort, offense has been a lot more fun as well. You learn the defense, start our rhythm on offense, and set the tone of these games.”
That shift has changed the team. The Lakers’ defense tightened first, and everything followed. Over that stretch, they ranked 10th in defensive rating, 6th in offensive rating, and 5th in net rating. The results showed up quickly. They climbed from sixth in the West to third, now sitting at 50-26 and firmly in control of a top-six playoff spot.
Ayton believes the identity starts on defense. Once that clicked, the offense opened up. He admitted that this environment feels different from what he experienced before.
“I miss this type of feeling, I’m not even gonna lie. It brings a certain type of urgency out there, where you and these guys have been in battles, and the chemistry you guys made. Just being around each other on and off the court, it’s finally showing on the court.”
“It’s contagious, and Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, they the leaders of all of that.”
That urgency comes from shared battles. Practices, road trips, tough games. Over time, those moments build trust. Ayton made it clear that what happens off the court matters just as much. Ayton also pointed to the leadership core driving it. Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves have set the tone. Not only through production, but through communication and consistency.
For Ayton, this did not happen overnight. His season has largely been uneven. He started strong, then struggled with consistency, effort, and defensive awareness. At times, he lost minutes, with Jaxson Hayes taking a larger role. Frustration followed, including public comments about touches and role.
But that phase is long over now. Ayton has accepted where he fits. He is no longer trying to be the focal point, but is keen on making an impact on a nightly basis.
In March, he averaged 11.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while shooting an elite 73.3% from the field. The numbers are efficient, but the bigger change is his energy. He runs harder, contests more, and stays engaged. For the season, he is at 12.4 points and 8.3 rebounds on 67.5% shooting. Solid production, but his recent stretch carries more weight because of how he is playing.
His performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers summed it up. He attacked early, controlled the glass, and set a physical tone. He finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, including multiple offensive boards that extended possessions. Those plays do not always show up in headlines, but they change games. And that is the version of Ayton the Lakers need.
The Lakers are not winning only because of talent. They are winning because roles are clearer and effort is consistent. Ayton sees it every day. And now, everyone else is starting to see it too.
