Deandre Ayton delivered one of the most efficient performances the Los Angeles Lakers have seen in decades on Sunday night, turning a routine regular-season win into a piece of franchise history.
The Lakers big man was flawless against the Toronto Raptors, finishing with 25 points and 13 rebounds on 10-for-10 shooting from the field.
The performance made Ayton the first player this season to score at least 20 points on perfect shooting with 10 or more attempts, and just the 34th player in NBA history to do so while also grabbing at least 10 rebounds.
For the Lakers specifically, the night was even more rare.
Ayton became only the 3rd player in franchise history to shoot 100 percent from the field on 10 or more attempts with at least 10 rebounds, joining Wilt Chamberlain in 1969 and Mitch Kupchak in 1981.
Im not gonna lie, thats pretty cool, Ayton said. But I definitely give it up to my teammates they find me in the most easiest spots ever and I got some easy ones tonight, for sure.
The center later expanded on what it meant to see his name alongside Lakers legends.
Thats things I never even thought I would be a part of, Ayton said. Im definitely honored and appreciative. I love this game, so hopefully I get more of those.
While the perfect shooting line grabbed headlines, Ayton was quick to point out that the win itself started on the other end of the floor.
The Lakers held Toronto to just 93 points, their best defensive showing of the season.
It started with our defense, bringing energy to the ball. Guys cutting, moving energy, ball-finding energy and thats what happened tonight, Ayton said. Luka and Bron putting pressure on the opponents and in their paint, spreading off of threes, getting lobs and dump balls in the dunker. It was all in the rhythm today.
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