Hamstring injury could be severe enough to keep him out of action for a few more weeks, and it was obvious in a Game 1 loss to the Thunder that the Lakers miss his playmaking.
After a heroic effort by LeBron James and stout team defense in the first round against the Rockets, the Lakers suddenly miss their superstar offensive catalyst ...
Deandre Ayton had a very strong series against the Houston Rockets and the Lakers need him to replicate that performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers know they're considered major underdogs heading into their playoff matchup against Oklahoma City, but they're focused on winning the series.
An age-defying effort by LeBron James along with strong contributions from Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, help carry the Lakers to series-clinching win.
He has 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds while Rui Hachimura scores 21 to help the Lakers advance to a second-round series against the Thunder.