The Los Angeles Lakers were staring down a 0-3 hole against the Oklahoma City Thunder when Deandre Ayton decided to bring in the wrong kind of PR.
While the Los Angeles locker room was trying to keep their season alive, Ayton could not have chosen a worse moment to celebrate a personal milestone.
Ahead of a crucial Game 4, a video showed the big man holding a new diamond pendant featuring his “Dominayton” branding.
Deandre Ayton’s Purchase Sparks Controversy Ahead of Game 4 vs. Thunder
After the 131-108 blowout loss in Game 3 on Saturday night, Ayton drew a wave of backlash from fans and analysts online with his latest purchase. Bleacher Report shared a video of Ayton displaying the chain, which featured jagged capital letters spelling out “DominAyton.”
Reaction from the fan base was swift, with one user writing, “This can’t be real.”
This can’t be real pic.twitter.com/dTR9QyqVCk
— 21forever (@kidnxt24) May 11, 2026
Meanwhile, OnyxOdds made a pointed dig, highlighting Ayton’s playoff disaster.
DominAyton vs. the Thunder in the playoffs:
– 0 games with more than 10 PTS
– 1 double-double
– 2 total blocks
– 1 chain acquired pic.twitter.com/ngLyo6T52O— Onyx (@OnyxOdds) May 11, 2026
“The lack of self-awareness is so bad I actually respect it. Do your thing, Deandre,” one user remarked.
The lack of self-awareness is so bad I actually respect it.
Do your thing Deandre. https://t.co/jxFzKbUVPC
— Barry (@BarryOnHere) May 11, 2026
“Am I being ragebaited?” one user wondered.
Am I being ragebaited? https://t.co/MsZTdHdf4V
— The Pettiest Laker Fan 🤫 (@ThePettiestLA) May 11, 2026
“Lord, please tell me this video is old lol,” another user hoped.
Averaging 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists, Ayton’s playoff run has not been something to write home about.
During Game 3, he struggled to maintain positioning against a more aggressive Chet Holmgren as Los Angeles was devoid of physical presence in the middle throughout the evening. Ayton finished the night with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and just 1 block.
His Game 2 night was no better.
Failing to record a single block in 27 minutes on the floor, Ayton finished with 3 points and 10 rebounds.
His struggles with the Lakers have been well-documented. After the Game 3 loss, Stephen A. Smith did not hold back in his assessment of Ayton, urging the franchise to cut their losses.
“If you’re the Lakers, you almost have to get him out of your locker room, just because of the effect that he will have on the other guys because of this flagrant lack of urgency that he plays with,” Smith said.
Acquired to provide paint protection and playoff experience, Ayton has done little to justify his presence on the roster.
Game 4 ended with him recording 0 blocks and 6 points in 21 minutes of gametime, ending the Lakers’ season.
After the 0-4 sweep by OKC, it won’t be long before the Los Angeles front office heeds Smith’s advice and takes the tough yet necessary call on the center’s future with the team.
