The Los Angeles Lakers are still finding their footing with LeBron James sidelined due to sciatica, and they’ll look to get in the win column Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In Tuesday’s season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers relied heavily on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who combined for 69 points, 18 assists and 17 rebounds while shooting a combined 60.5 percent from the field. As the team prepares for Friday’s contest, Los Angeles will look for Deandre Ayton to share the load as the trio continues to build chemistry.
Following a five-year stint with the Phoenix Suns, Ayton was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in September 2023. He spent two injury-plagued seasons with the Trail Blazers before being bought out and signing a two-year, $16.2 million deal with the Lakers this offseason.
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Deandre Ayton praises Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic
Ayton brings a solid presence in the paint for L.A. and hopes to bounce back with the team after his lackluster tenure in Portland. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick had his most successful years alongside Chris Paul and Devin Booker in Phoenix, and he said Friday that he sees similarities between those two and Doncic and Reaves, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“I’m starting to see AR and Luka show me things that they like, because I’ve been around it where CP3 is more of a slow, shifty guy, and that’s what Luka does,” Ayton said. “AR is like Book; he creates his own shots but to get downhill he got it after that.”
“I can tell it’s about to be a fun season. They’re so willing to know me and know what I like.” Deandre Ayton speaks about the detailed work he’s had in practice to get on the same page with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. He also compares Luka to CP3 and AR to Devin Booker. pic.twitter.com/MvIXHhGJD4
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 24, 2025
After trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Doncic last season, the Lakers struggled to find a solution at center. Now, Ayton will aim to answer Los Angeles’ center questions and revitalize his career.
As for Reaves, he’s a rising star aiming for his first All-Star nod in the 2025-26 campaign. If he can live up to Ayton’s comparison, the Lakers will certainly have a shot at a deep playoff run, with James and Doncic leading the way.
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