Deandre Ayton dismisses Pelicans injury fears
The The Los Angeles Lakers breathed easier on Sunday night after DeAndre Ayton dismissed late-game injury fears against the New Orleans Pelicans, collapsing knees with Derrick Quinn in the fourth quarter before leaving with his sweatpants on. In real time it looked tense. It looked like another setback for a player who had recently missed time with injury. But Ayton ended the night with clarity, composure and a message for Lakers fans need to hear. “It’s cooled down … I’m fine now,” he told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. He added: âJJ said he was going to drop me regardless so it was good timing and to cool off after the game.
The quick dismissal of DeAndre Ayton from the concern was a lift for a team that has struggled with depth issues all season. In fact, his presence stabilizes the interior sets of the Lakerstheir bounce patterns and the timing of their defensive rotations. It protects the space and cleans the glass. He also gives their offense a vertical threat that opponents have to respect. Even a brief absence would change the tone of a night the Lakers controlled.
Lakers keep rolling as Ayton shakes off fear
The Lakers beat the Pelicans 133â121. Ayton finished with 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting, was perfect at the line, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked four shots. with that, The Lakers are now 15â4, second in the West, riding a seven-game winning streak it boosts their confidence every night. And while his impact reverberated through the frame score, his post-match update was perhaps even more important.
As it turned out, the late collision did not stop. The swelling did not increase. The concern did not grow. DeAndre Ayton came out calm, smiling and sounding like someone who didn’t feel the fear of injury at all. Now, the next challenge is coming fast. The Lakers continue to face the Suns, and Ayton is expected to play.
So the question shifts to the fans: If he stays healthy and this streak continues to stretch, how high can the Lakers push this run?
2025-12-01 16:26:00
