Deandre Ayton happy Kings call timeout after lob to LeBron James

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers managed to get back on track after Sunday’s 125-101 win against the Sacramento Kings, and some of the postgame talk was a few dunks LeBron James deflected lob passes. One lob pass came from Marcus Smartthe other came from Deandre Ayton.

DeAndre Ayton’s lob especially came in the third quarter when the Lakers really opened the game as LeBron James’ dunk gave the team a 20-point lead early in the period. After the Lakers game on Tuesday, Ayton talked about how exciting the moment was for him.

“Not everybody can throw a lob to LBJ. You have to be that guy to throw that lob,” Ayton joked. “It was really just Luka (Doncic) putting the ball in the pocket and he was double-teamed. I saw LeBron cut … he’s a train when he comes down the lane, it’s so obvious. You can throw it anywhere and he’s going to catch it. I was so happy they gave me a timeout after that play. I could just enjoy this moment now.”

For Ayton, it was a chance to return a favor from when he was in eighth grade. Ayton attended one of James’ basketball camps and it was the first time James ever lobbed for Ayton.

“It was kind of cool,” Ayton said. “That’s the business of the game when you work hard, but you also play hard.”

This week was a significant week for James when he turned 41 years old while in the midst of a historic 23rd season in the NBA. After missing the first 14 games of the season with a nerve injury, James continued to play at an All-Star level.

Against the Kings, he finished with 24 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals while missing just one shot (11 of 13) in 28 minutes. Playing alongside him gave Ayton a chance to take things and add it to his game.

“His consistency, staying true to the game, approaching the game the right way,” Ayton said. “It’s contagious, just seeing him at 23 and seeing how many reps he’s doing and how early he’s getting to the gym … It just amazes you, and you want to put some of this in your bag.”

The Lakers will look to start another mini-game winning streak when they host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.