Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Deandre Ayton Admits Lakers Teammates Get Him 'Ticked Off'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 7:28 AM ET

Deandre Ayton helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 127-120 win over the Sacramento Kings with a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double.
Ayton spoke honestly about how his teammates treat him before games.
Luka Doncic and LeBron James were both sidelined due to injuries.

Deandre Ayton just turned in his best performance for the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. The 7-foot center helped lead L.A. to a 127-120 win over the Sacramento Kings to improve to 2-1 on the new NBA season. Ayton logged a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double on 10-of-17 shooting, to go along with two assists, a steal and a block in 30 minutes of action.

It was a big win for the Lakers, too, after Luka Doncic was ruled out for the game due to a left finger sprain and a lower leg contusion. Doncic will be sidelined for at least a week, joining LeBron James, who is also expected to miss the first few weeks of the season due to sciatica.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) dribbles upcourt against the Golden State Warriors.© David Gonzales-Imagn Images

After spending the past two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton joined the Lakers in the offseason via free agency. The former No. 1 overall pick signed a two-year, $16.2 million deal with L.A., where he has come in as the starting center for head coach JJ Redick.

Ayton was progressing in his first two games for his new team, but it wasn’t until Sunday night that he exploded for his first career double-double with the Lakers. After the game, the 27-year-old credited his teammates for helping him get fired up.

“They have their own little thing to get my head on,” he said. “… [Austin Reaves] is my guy. Luka is my guy. But my wings and my forwards, yeah, they be trying to get me ticked off before these games, just to get me rolling.

“I’m starting to see a trend because I don’t get a break until we're on the court, then it’s all seriousness. I’m like, ‘Oh, so this a thing y’all want to do. Y’all want to get me on edge. Y’all want me fired up.'

“I like it, man. You’re teammates starting to know me. I haven’t had that in a while. Dudes really care.”

“They be trying to get me ticked off before these games, just to get me rolling.” Deandre Ayton, after putting up 22 pts and 15 reb against the Kings, explains how his teammates sometimes “troll” him to get him riled up. He says it helps him perform better and it shows they care. pic.twitter.com/5gxvDmaTMB
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 27, 2025

Ayton is now in his eighth year in the NBA. He started his career with the Phoenix Suns, where he spent the first five years.

The Lakers will be back in action on Monday in the second night of a back-to-back set. They will face Ayton's former team, the Blazers, in a home game at Crypto.com Arena. Tipoff is scheduled at 10:30 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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