Deandre Ayton is excited for his first playoff game with the Lakers, saying he’s ready to “do backflips” as he prepares to face the Houston Rockets.
Los Angeles Lakers starting center Deandre Ayton is preparing for his playoff debut in Purple & Gold ahead of the first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
Los Angeles Lakers / Schedule
“You’re thinking about the environment, you think about the fans, thinking about the first game as a Laker in the playoffs,” Ayton said on Wednesday. “So, I just try to find some time to catch myself, gather, and just relax.
“I’ve been here before, but I am truly excited. I want to do backflips,” he added. “I’m in the purple and gold, and I just want to really just play hard as hell to contribute to wins.”
It will be a very difficult matchup for the Lakers, even with home-court advantage.
They are already shorthanded, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined. That puts more pressure on Ayton, who will need to step up.
This season, Ayton has averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds across 72 regular-season games, all as a starter for the Lakers.
Game 1 between the Lakers and Rockets is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
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