Stephen A. Smith aimed sharp criticism at Deandre Ayton after the Lakers fell into a 3-0 series hole against the Oklahoma City Thunder. On ESPN’s First Take, Smith questioned Ayton’s effort and said the Lakers were showing visible frustration with their starting center.
Ayton finished Game 3 with 10 points and six rebounds in Los Angeles’ 131-108 loss, including five offensive boards, three fouls, one steal and one block. His production has been below his usual playoff level, and the Lakers now face elimination with the Thunder having a chance to close out the series in Game 4.
Smith’s criticism focused on effort and urgency
Smith did not hold back when discussing Ayton’s play. He described the 7-foot-1 big man as someone who sometimes looks as if he is “lounging on the beach,” and said the lack of urgency has become a problem for the Lakers.
He also pointed to a sequence in which Ayton did not appear to move his feet on a drive, calling the moment demoralizing for a team trying to stay alive in the series. Smith argued that Ayton’s effort level can affect the rest of the roster because it sends the wrong message during high-pressure playoff games.
Game 3 and the numbers behind the frustration
Ayton has averaged 7.3 points and 9.3 rebounds against Oklahoma City in the series. His overall playoff numbers with the Lakers remain well below his previous postseason production, with 10.4 points on 53.1% shooting and 10.3 rebounds in nine playoff games this season.
That is a sharp drop from his earlier work in Phoenix, where he averaged 15 points on 61.5% shooting and 10.5 rebounds in 45 career playoff games over a three-year stretch. The contrast has fueled outside criticism, especially as the Lakers have struggled to generate enough physical play inside.
Redick defended Ayton after practice
Lakers coach JJ Redick pushed back on the criticism after practice on Sunday. Redick said he believes Ayton remains important to the team and pointed to the Rockets series as evidence that the center can be a major factor when the Lakers play well.
“Look, I’ve been around DA for a season now,” Redick said. “I know how special he is for our group to succeed.” He added that Ayton helped the Lakers win that earlier series and said he expected him to contribute again.
A costly sequence in the paint
The broadcast also highlighted a late-game sequence that drew more attention to Ayton’s struggles. With under 10 minutes left and the Lakers trailing 98-87, Ayton failed to secure a defensive rebound while near the ball, leading announcer Dave Pasch to say, “Boy, Ayton can not get a defensive rebound.”
Doris Burke then said the moment was the kind of thing that would frustrate Redick, and the cameras showed Redick appearing to tell assistant Scott Brooks, “I can’t play him.” Burke also said Ayton needed “a higher degree of physicality and intensity” when boxing out Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein on another play that ended with a foul on Ayton.
Ayton also picked up a foul a second into Game 4, adding to the sense that his impact has been uneven in the series. The Lakers have turned to Jaxson Hayes as the backup center, while Ayton continues to draw attention for his ability to produce at times but not consistently match the urgency the team needs in the playoffs.
