Luka Doncic has the Los Angeles Lakers rolling through the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. Following their seventh consecutive win, Doncic praised big man Deandre Ayton while emphasizing the value he brings to the court.
What Sparked Luka Doncic’s Praise for Deandre Ayton?
The vibes are incredibly high in Los Angeles. Doncic is playing at an MVP level, LeBron James is back, and Austin Reaves has taken a major leap toward stardom. The role players are figuring out how to succeed, and most importantly, the Lakers are winning basketball games. The Oklahoma City Thunder (20-1) is the only team in the Western Conference with a better record than the Lakers (15-4).
Doncic tallied 34 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in last night’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He also doled out a hefty amount of praise for Ayton when speaking with the media postgame. The Lakers’ starting center dropped 22 points, 12 boards, and four blocks in just 27 minutes.
“Like I always say, he’s a big thing for us, big help in us winning the games,” said Doncic about Ayton. “We appreciate him. Keep going. He’s playing amazing.”
Luka Doncic on Deandre Ayton (22 pts, 12 rebs, 4 blks) after Lakers win over Pelicans: “Like I always say, he’s a big thing for us, big help in us winning the games. We appreciate him. Keep going. He’s playing amazing.”
Lakers (15-4) 7-game win streak, face Suns (12-9) Monday… pic.twitter.com/pDpsBkZ50h
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 1, 2025
The Phoenix Suns drafted Ayton with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He had waves of success in Phoenix, averaging a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double in his five seasons in the desert and helping his squad reach the 2021 NBA Finals. However, there was always a sense of disappointment when watching Ayton play.
Despite his incredible physical tools and soft touch around the rim, he never made an All-Star team. It frequently felt like there were things left unaddressed. After his five seasons with the Suns, he spent two underwhelming years with the Portland Trail Blazers. Those struggles ended with his contract being bought out, and it looked like his time as an impactful NBA player had come to an end.
Then, the Lakers signed him to a two-year, $16 million contract. If there were any hope in Ayton reemerging as a prominent center, it would be playing next to Doncic and James. Against all odds, the Ayton experiment has been a bigger success than anyone outside of Los Angeles could have imagined. He is averaging 16 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting a career-best 71% from the field. The Lakers will host the Suns tonight in the second leg of their home back-to-back.
