DeAndre Ayton originally went down with a knee contusion in the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Utah Jazz on Nov. 23. 

Ayton then missed the Lakers’ following game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 25, but has played in Los Angeles’ last two games against the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 28 and the New Orleans Pelicans last night. 

Last night after the game, Ayton spoke about his original contusion, as well as provided an update on a collision that occurred against New Orleans. 

“Kinda tweaked the little collision I had the other day in Utah,” Ayton said in a postgame interview. “And I mean, JJ [Redick] said he was going to sub me out regardless, so it was good timing…It cooled down after the game so I’m good now.” 

Ayton exited the game with 7:25 to go in the fourth quarter after playing 27 minutes in total. The Lakers went on to defeat the Pelicans 133-121. 

“It was like a little tweak in the ankle almost,” Ayton added. “It wasn’t anything crazy. I just really felt it right there and [at the] same time, JJ [Redick] was bringing somebody in the game to sub me.” 

As Ayton assured, he was alright following the game, which is positive news for the Lakers who have had such a rough go of it regarding injuries to begin the 2025-26 season.

Ayton has proven to be a consistent force down low for the Lakers so far this campaign. 

Last night against the Pelicans, Ayton scored 22 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the field and 8-for-8 shooting from the free throw line to go along with 12 rebounds and four blocks. On the season, he is averaging 16 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. 

Ayton may appear fourth fiddle to Luka Dončić (35.1 points per game), Austin Reaves (28.8 points per game) and LeBron James (16.5 points per game), but his presence as a reliable center has undoubtedly helped the Lakers improve on a lot of the things that bogged them down last year before and after the Anthony Davis-Dončić trade. 

The Lakers (15-4) play the Phoenix Suns (12-9) tonight at 10 p.m. EST. 

Los Angeles has not played Phoenix yet this season, but hopefully for the Lakers’ sake, Ayton will come alive like he did last night against the Suns – the team he formerly played for and helped make a run to the NBA Finals in 2021.