Deandre Ayton had another underwhelming performance in the LA Lakers’ Game 3 loss against the OKC Thunder on Saturday night. Ayton had 10 points and six rebounds, but only pulled down one defensive rebound throughout the game.
There were also sequences where Ayton allowed numerous second-chance opportunities for the Thunder, especially in the second half, where the Thunder outscored the Lakers, 74-49, to pull away with the win.
With Ayton’s subpar performance, he drew the ire of LeBron James’ friend and NBA analyst Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe accused Ayton of not trying in Game 3, allowing the Thunder to pounce on his inactivity in the paint.
“He didn’t even try tonight. It’s not his fault,” he said. “Even if he tried they probably lose by 15. Even if he tries. But the fact that he didn’t try, I mean look at the offensive rebounds?”
“Little guys are getting offensive rebounds and he’s standing there! He had one that he tried to layup and he got it blocked. He got it back then, but misses the whole damn rim. They turn the ball over too much. They can’t defend. They attack AR [Austin Reaves],” Sharpe, a former NFL player, said.
The Thunder outrebounded the Lakers, 43-37, throughout the game. While that difference is not exactly wide, the defensive rebounding numbers show a different story. The Thunder had 31 defensive rebounds, eight more than the Lakers.
It was not only Game 3, as Ayton has also had lackluster performances in the first two games of the series.
In Game 2, he only put up three points and 10 rebounds, shooting 1-of-7 from the field. He notched 10 points and 12 rebounds in the series opener, which the Lakers also lost.
JJ Redick Shows Frustration on Ayton During Game 3
GettyJJ Redick speaks with Deandre Ayton during a Los Angeles Lakers game.
In the fourth quarter of Game 3, Deandre Ayton gave up two offensive rebounds for the Thunder, causing him to get benched.
After the play, Lakers head coach JJ Redick was seen ranting about Ayton’s performance on the bench.
“I can’t play him,” Redick said as seen in the broadcast.
Ayton only played 24 minutes in the game. Redick tried his backup centers Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes, but both only played under 10 minutes in Game 3, before he decided to go small ball late in the game.
Ayton’s performance remains pivotal for the Lakers in Game 4 as they look to contain the Thunder’s drives and paint touches while preserving possessions.
Deandre Ayton Reflects on How JJ Redick Disciplines Him
GettyJJ Redick disciplines Deandre Ayton throughout the season.
Last month, Ayton opened up about how JJ Redick disciplines him when his effort is far from what is expected from him.
“I feel like when I’m not doing what I’m supposed to do, it’s contagious,” Ayton said after a regular-season game last month. “I’m hard on myself, especially when JJ is upset, because when it comes to that effort on multiple plays, I’m one of those guys he is definitely talking to. I take pride in that.”
“I feel like when i’m not doing what i’m supposed to do, it’s contagious. I be hard on myself especially when JJ is upset because when it comes to that effort on multiple plays, i’m one of those
Ayton is expected to, at least, up his efforts in Game 4 as the Lakers hope to steal one and extend the series against the Thunder.
Lakers’ Deandre Ayton Receives Scathing Statement From LeBron James Friend