Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton missed his team’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, but he is back in action. He exited the Lakers’ game against the Utah Jazz, as he suffered a knee injury. He collided with Utah’s rookie, Ace Bailey, and after trying to play through it, Ayton left and did not return.
The Lakers are looking to finish 4-0 in Group B as they face the Dallas Mavericks, boosted by the return of their starting center. Since the deadline swap that sent Luka Dončić to LA and Anthony Davis to Dallas, the two teams have been linked, with each star shaping his new squad in very different ways. And with both Davis and Ayton coming off injuries, the Lakers’ big man still took a moment to praise the Mavericks’ All-Star before their matchup.
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Deandre Ayton Praises Anthony Davis, Compares Him to MVPs
Ayton called Davis a great shot maker and mentioned how he gives teams trouble. The Lakers center said that it takes the whole team to guard Davis, and after that, he mentioned two international stars.
Los Angeles’ starter said that Davis has to be treated like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and other superstars, and that it takes more than one player to guard him.
“AD’s a great shot maker. … It takes the whole team to guard him. You treat him like a Giannis, you treat him like a Jokic, like all the other superstars in this league where you need the whole team to be a presence in front of them” – Deandre Ayton on Anthony Davis pic.twitter.com/7R9L7C11Hr
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 28, 2025
Ayton knows what it takes to guard Davis, as he has done many times over the years. He has also faced Antetokounmpo and Jokic during that time. Therefore, his statements stem from personal experience.
Jokic is a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), and he is having another spectacular season. He is averaging 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 11.1 assists. The Nuggets center has been a menace, and opposing teams are having a hard time stopping him.
The Lakers center looks at Davis the same way, and he is preparing to guard him that way.
Will Ayton Stop Davis?
A matchup between the Mavericks and the Lakers is always exciting, and this will be no exception. The Lakers are on a five-game winning streak, and with Ayton back, they can keep that momentum going.
The Mavericks are struggling, and Davis’ return is a positive. He has been out for the past month due to a calf injury, and he will play against his former team.
The two centers are gamechangers, and with both returning, they will battle once again.