HOUSTON — The Lakers and Deandre Ayton have been aiming for this moment all season.

It’s about Ayton not just fulfilling his role effectively but also feeling good about it.

He has continually made contributions during the game, even when those contributions aren’t visible in the box score. This was evident in the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Rockets.

“It was fun, I can’t lie,” Ayton shared recently. “Having a team that backs you up –I was just focused on having everyone’s back. The communication we developed and the strategies we practiced really worked well together. I mean, adapting to the different defenses, it feels like a team fight with friends who share the same goals.”

Ayton’s presence was felt in the Lakers’ Game 1 victory over the Rockets, where he finished with a plus-7 rating, tallying 19 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and one block in 35 minutes of action, leading to a nine-point win.

In Game 2, however, his numbers dropped—he scored six points on 3-of-8 shooting, grabbed five rebounds, and was minus-5 in a seven-point win. Still, the box score doesn’t tell the whole story.

Defensively, he executed perfectly against Rockets All-Star Alperen Sengun, who managed just 1-of-8 shooting with Ayton as his defender.

The Lakers noticeably improved their defensive rebounding when Ayton was on the court, even if he wasn’t always the one grabbing the boards.

Setting screens in pick-and-rolls alongside LeBron James and Marcus Smart proved crucial for the Lakers’ success in Game 2.

“We love praising DA,” coach JJ Reddick said. “He earns that praise when he does what we need from him. Being a former No. 1 pick, he puts in a lot of effort that might not get noticed, but we always give him credit.”

Ayton’s main role has been limiting Sengun, who struggled to make shots in the first two playoff games when matched up against Ayton or Jackson Hayes. Ayton held Sengun to 5-of-19 shooting.

“They do a great job of pushing the offense well outside the paint,” Reddick noted. “When it comes to Sengun, we have specific coverage strategies. In one-on-one situations, they did a solid job utilizing their height to make things difficult.”

Moreover, Ayton has been effective even on the perimeter, a request that the Lakers have made of him.

“I enjoy guarding from one to five,” Ayton mentioned. “That’s what the Lakers want from me, and I’m excited to showcase that. I thought it would be a secret weapon, and now I feel confident defending top-tier players in isolation.”

For Ayton, this playoffs presents a chance to highlight his skills as a two-way player. “I find myself in a winning position, with a team that’s focused on success,” he explained. “It elevates everything—the intensity, focus, and commitment. I’m just trying to stay consistent and show my love for the game, and that’s what I’m proud of. The playoffs are the perfect stage for that.”