JJ Redick praised Deandre Ayton’s two-way impact as the Lakers beat the Rockets in Game 1, driven by elite shooting and playmaking.
The first punch of the series belongs to Los Angeles.
JJ Redick’s message after the Lakers’ Game 1 victory over the Houston Rockets was simple: Deandre Ayton didn’t just arrive—he helped swing the balance at both ends. a key reason the Lakers opened their first-round matchup with a win.. In a postseason debut with the Lakers. Ayton finished with 19 points. 11 rebounds. two assists and a block in 35 minutes. going 8-of-10 from the field and perfect from the free-throw line.
Ayton’s performance carried extra weight because the Lakers were navigating a tougher setup than usual.. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves were both sidelined with injury, leaving the offense without two familiar focal points.. That meant Los Angeles needed its center to play like a stabilizer—scoring efficiently. finishing inside. and doing the unglamorous work that slows down an opponent’s rhythm.
Redick, speaking after the game, pointed directly to that two-way value.. Ayton. in his view. was at his best when he impacted multiple phases of play rather than settling for one role.. The Lakers leaned on his presence to make possessions look simpler: secure the glass. challenge at the rim. and punish the moments when Houston’s defense hesitated.
There was also a tactical storyline unfolding beneath the box score.. Houston’s offense arrived without Kevin Durant, and that absence showed quickly.. The Rockets struggled to find their rhythm. and their shot-making didn’t compensate—Los Angeles shot 61% from the floor and generated 29 assists. while Houston hit only 38% and finished with 24 assists.. In playoff basketball. that combination—efficiency plus creativity—can be the difference between staying competitive and turning the game into a chase.
The Lakers’ scoring distribution reinforced that the win wasn’t one-dimensional.. Five players reached double digits, with Luke Kennard leading the way with 27 points and four rebounds.. LeBron James added 19 points and 13 assists, pushing the offense into angles Houston couldn’t easily defend.. Marcus Smart scored 15 with eight assists. while Rui Hachimura chipped in 14 points and three steals—contributions that mattered because they came across different stretches of the game.
From a coaching and roster perspective. Ayton’s Game 1 form feels like a blueprint for what Los Angeles wants to be in this matchup.. When a center plays with energy and finishing touch. it gives the team a reliable anchor during times when the perimeter creativity might be limited by injuries.. It also forces defenders to make decisions: respect the interior scoring. then contend with the rebound and rim protection that follow.
There’s also a momentum angle that can’t be ignored.. A 1-0 lead isn’t just a standings update—it shapes confidence. rotations and how aggressive both teams are willing to be with their adjustments.. For Houston. Game 1 exposed a gap in offensive flow. and closing that gap may require both lineup tweaks and a clearer plan for how to generate high-quality looks when the ball isn’t moving freely.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will try to turn that opening statement into control.. They host Houston for Game 2 aiming to push the series to a 2-0 lead. with the matchup set for April 21 at 10:30 p.m.. ET.. If Ayton continues to play at the level Redick highlighted—effective in the paint. active on defense. and steady enough to keep the Lakers organized—Los Angeles will have a strong answer for whatever Houston changes next.
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