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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a stop in play during a 131-107 Lakers win over the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on April 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers have an unlikely 2-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets. This was widely unexpected after they entered this series without the services of Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves. That seemed to leave them without much offensive punch.

Yet, Los Angeles has been able to get by without their two starting guards. LeBron James has been able to turn back the clock and lead the offense in a way that no 41-year-old should be able to. Yet, he is not the reason why the Lakers have this series lead.

JJ Redick and the rest of the team are giving credit to an unlikely hero for doing dirty work that has allowed them to win these games. That hero is Deandre Ayton.

Deandre Ayton Seen as Unlikely Hero for Los Angeles Lakers

According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the Lakers are giving credit to Ayton for changing his role and showing more effort.

“We love giving DA praise,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said on Thursday. “We love to give him — I mean, when he does what we ask him to do, he should get all the praise in the world. Again, he’s the former No. 1 pick, and he’s doing a lot of thankless work at times, so we always praise him for that.”

Ayton has also acknowledged that he has changed the way he has played for the better of the team, with so many injury problems.

“It’s really just multiple efforts. People say second-chance effort, but it’s like multiple efforts in the same possession. Houston, they load that up, you know, they keep possessions alive being on the glass. And that’s where your heart really has to kick in and just mano a mano, really boxing out your guy and closing the possession out. Just to get in our offensive rhythm. And matching their physicality takes a whole group and team.”

Los Angeles Needs Ayton to Stay Engaged

Battling for boards in a physical manner is not something Ayton has ever been known for. In fact, he had the lowest number of rebounds in his career during the regular season. Even with these efforts, they have the second-worst rebound percentage of any playoff team.

Offensively, the Lakers have been better. Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard have stepped up in a surprising way to give Los Angeles an offensive lift so far. There’s a chance that Doncic and Reaves return later this series, too.

LA has weathered the storm without those two players so far. Keeping Ayton engaged is going to be the key to Los Angeles getting out of this series. In Game 2, he had just six points and five rebounds. Getting production closer to what he had in Game 1 will be necessary for the team to advance.

The Lakers have the fifth-best offensive rating in the playoffs.