{"id":711623,"date":"2026-04-16T07:46:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T07:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/711623\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T07:46:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T07:46:40","slug":"deandre-ayton-sends-bold-message-before-game-1-vs-rockets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/711623\/","title":{"rendered":"Deandre Ayton sends bold message before Game 1 vs. Rockets"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> starting center Deandre Ayton<\/a> is preparing for his playoff debut in Purple & Gold ahead of the first-round series against the Houston Rockets.<\/p>\n

\t\tLos Angeles Lakers \/ Schedule<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

It will be a very difficult matchup for the Lakers, even with home-court advantage.<\/p>\n

They are already shorthanded, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined. That puts more pressure on Ayton, who will need to step up.<\/p>\n

This season, Ayton has averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds across 72 regular-season games, all as a starter for the Lakers.<\/p>\n

Game 1 between the Lakers and Rockets is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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