“And I’m having fun with it, I’m not gonna lie.”Nearly 10 years before teaming up for the Lakers, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton were just teenaged prospects with big dreams. Clint Capela will get the start and match up with Deandre Ayton. — 3/16/2026 x.comDave McMenamin: Deandre Ayton averaged 14.3 points on 71.4% and 10 rebounds in the Lakers’ last three games after leaving the DEN game early and missing IND. That's because the Lakers' lineup of James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura is the worst James five-man lineup since 2007-08 (the first season with this kind of lineup data). Deandre Ayton is also day to day.

Source: New York Times March 18, 2026 14:51 UTC