Deandre Ayton is feeling a surge of excitement as he prepares to return to playoff basketball with the Lakers. He jokingly mentioned he might even do backflips about it. This enthusiasm reflects how much he has missed the competitive atmosphere of the NBA playoffs, especially now that the Lakers are set to face the Rockets in the opening round.
“I’m really excited,” Ayton remarked. “It’s been a while since I played in the playoffs.” In fact, it’s been almost three years since his last postseason appearance. His most recent playoff game was over two years ago when he played for the Suns, where he contributed 14 points and 9 rebounds in a loss to the Nuggets in the second round.
After being traded to the Trail Blazers, Ayton unfortunately didn’t get a chance to compete in the playoffs during his two years in Portland. Joining the Lakers last summer has reignited his hope for a playoff run.
“I love this game, and I have a lot of passion for it,” he shared, eager to show his abilities on both offense and defense. He believes that being a two-way player is crucial for making a mark in this league. Ayton aims to run the floor effectively, focusing on rebounds and rim protection as key goals to enhance the team’s performance in the playoffs.
Ayton isn’t alone in his playoff return; teammate Marcus Smart is also looking forward to the postseason after having missed out the last couple of years. Having played in the playoffs for the first nine years of his career, Smart relishes the opportunity to compete again. He averages nearly 108 playoff games, which includes multiple conference finals and a trip to the NBA Finals in 2022.
“It means everything to me,” Smart said about re-entering the playoffs. “It’s been a while, but I see this as a chance to turn things around. I’m excited to help this team win and go as far as we can. Together, we’ll fight until we can’t anymore.”
Both players have played significant roles for the Lakers this season, contributing to a 53-win record that secured the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. Smart has made his mark as a strong defender, playing 62 games—his highest since the 2022-23 season—while Ayton enjoyed a career year, playing 72 games and achieving a shooting percentage of 67.1%.
Ayton has also experienced the intensity of playoff basketball during his time with the Suns, having faced off against the Lakers back in 2021. He remembers the electric atmosphere and how important it is to adapt and find comfort, especially with the fans’ energy at play.
“This place can get extremely loud,” Ayton noted. “With the practices led by coach J.J. Redick, I’m trying to soak in everything while keeping calm. I’ve been here before, and now I’m excited to wear purple and gold. I just want to play my hardest to help us win.”
