By Sunday 
A New Era in the Paint
The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just beat the San Antonio Spurs — they sent a message. In a tight 118–116 thriller, Deandre Ayton stood tall (literally and figuratively) against Victor Wembanyama, proving that Hollywood’s newest big man might finally be the center LA has been searching for.
The 7-footer, often criticized for inconsistency in Phoenix and Portland, put together one of his most complete games in purple and gold — scoring 22 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and playing with a fire that reminded fans of the championship-era Lakers.
Ayton vs. Wemby: The Clash of Titans
It wasn’t supposed to be easy. Wemby has been dazzling all season — a 7’4 phenom with guard handles and wingspan from another dimension. But on this night, Ayton took it personally.
From the opening tip, he set the tone — outjumping Wembanyama, hustling for every board, and anchoring both ends of the floor. “He’s just in a really comfortable rhythm right now,” head coach JJ Redick said postgame. “He’s embraced his teammates and his role — it’s exactly what we need from him.”
By the third quarter, Ayton was running the floor with Luka Dončić like it was Showtime all over again, finishing a lob that electrified the Crypto.com Arena.
Redemption in Real Time
Ayton’s story has always been about potential. Drafted No.1 overall in 2018, he was supposed to dominate the league. Instead, he became the guy who might have been. But this version of Ayton — confident, unselfish, and relentless — looks like he’s finally rewriting that narrative.
He summed it up himself after the game:
“I just wanted to prove the world wrong.”
And so far, he’s doing exactly that.
The Lakers’ Rise Continues
With this win, the Lakers improved to 7–2, their best start since the 2019–20 season — the year they went all the way. Coincidence? Maybe not. That team also had a center on a redemption arc: Dwight Howard.
If Ayton keeps this up, he might not just revive his career — he might lift the Lakers right back into championship talk.
Hollywood loves a comeback story, and Deandre Ayton’s might just be the next blockbuster.