The Deandre Ayton era in Los Angeles has gotten off to a rocky start, and Lakers fans are already losing patience. One game into the season, frustration is bubbling over online after the former No. 1 overall pick’s disappointing debut against the Golden State Warriors on October 21.
Fans Fuming Over Deandre Ayton’s Rough Start in Purple and Gold
The Lakers’ 2025-26 season opening night was supposed to mark a fresh beginning for Ayton — his first as a Laker and under new head coach JJ Redick. It was his chance to reset his reputation after two frustrating years in Portland. But instead, it quickly became a reminder of why his critics have been so vocal.
Ayton finished with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, adding six rebounds and zero assists in the Lakers’ 119-109 loss to Stephen Curry and the Warriors. The big man struggled to establish a presence inside, often settling for awkward fadeaway hooks rather than using his strength near the rim.
He also fumbled several entry passes, committing four turnovers — mistakes that drew collective groans from the Crypto.com Arena crowd.
With LeBron James sidelined due to sciatica, the Lakers had expected Ayton to play a major role behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Instead, his uneven performance left fans restless.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, social media had turned on Ayton. Lakers fans flooded X with reactions, and most of them were brutal.
One fan summed up the sentiment bluntly:
“Realizing in real time why Blazers fans weren’t mad he stayed home.”
realizing in real time why blazers fans weren’t mad he stayed home
— Kathryn Gimborys (@kathryngimborys) October 22, 2025
Another drew an unflattering comparison to another underwhelming former Laker:
“Deandre Ayton in peak Kwame Brown form.”
The mention of Kwame Brown – the 2001 first overall pick who famously flopped in Los Angeles- stung for obvious reasons. Brown’s brief stint with the Lakers two decades ago remains one of the franchise’s cautionary tales, and fans were quick to draw parallels.
Deandre Ayton in peak Kwame Brown form pic.twitter.com/wSjRd5muxz
— WD (@wdmt07) October 22, 2025
“DeAndre Ayton & Kendrick Nunn in Greece next season.”
DeAndre Ayton & Kendrick Nunn in greece next season
— 𝙉𝘼𝙅 (@najeeadams_) October 22, 2025
It didn’t stop there. One fan added:
“Ayton is a HORRID watch,”
Another mocked: “AYTON IS SO BAD BRO LMFAOOOOOO,” and
Venting his frustration over Ayton’s game 1 performance, one Lakers fan wrote: “Deandre Ayton already making me mad and it’s only game one.”
NBA analyst Rob Perez, known as @WorldWideWob, even chimed in, writing:
“Oh buddy, these Ayton possessions are ROUGH.”
oh buddy these Ayton possessions are ROUGH.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 22, 2025
And perhaps the most telling reaction came from a fan who warned:
“Don’t search ‘Ayton’ and filter for latest results in this app. It ain’t pretty.”
Don’t search “Ayton” and filter for latest results in this app. It ain’t pretty.
— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) October 22, 2025
Even sports creator @Kofie joined the pile-on with a viral quip:
“They’re mad at Ayton, and the free trial isn’t even over 😭.”
They’re mad at Ayton, and the free trial isn’t even over 😭
— Kofie (@Kofie) October 22, 2025
Ayton’s Troubled Past Following Him to L.A.
Ayton arrived in Los Angeles this summer after negotiating a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers, a move that saw him give up $10 million of the $35 million left on his deal.
The 7-foot center reportedly pushed for the exit himself, hoping a new environment could help him rediscover his All-Star form.
His time in Portland had been turbulent, plagued by questions about effort and work ethics. Ayton averaged a career-low 14.4 points per game last season and drew public criticism for what some perceived as a lackluster intensity.
For the Lakers, desperate to solve their long-running issue at center after missing out on Brook Lopez and Clint Capela, signing Ayton seemed like a calculated gamble. But even one game in, the early returns are worrying fans who’ve seen this story before.
