Deandre Ayton Describes his 'Scary' Knee Injury While Emphasizing His Readiness for Lakers vs Mavs Comeback Game

LA Lakers center Deandre Ayton on Friday described his ‘scary’ knee injury. He spoke with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin during shootaround as he shared details of his injury.

“It was kinda scary the way it felt,” Ayton said. “It felt like my knee broke, it really was like a bone-to-bone contusion where he just hit my kneecap dead on with my patella and it was just like a bruising really, stuff I could play through. It’s not really something that’s stopping me from playing, it hurts but it’s something I can play through.”

Ayton also spoke about his readiness to make his return against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. He was upgraded to available for Friday’s NBA Cup game against Dallas.

He suffered the injury during the Lakers’ 108-106 road win against the Utah Jazz on Sunday. Ayton collided under the rim with rookie Ace Bailey, which resulted in a right-knee contusion, resulting in his exit through the second quarter.

The former No. 1 pick is in his first season in Purple and Gold after he left the Portland Trail Blazers as a free agent. He is averaging 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for the Lakers.

---

Deandre Ayton speaks on facing former Lakers star Anthony Davis

Deandre Ayton spoke on what to expect when he faces former Lakers star, Anthony Davis. Ayton praised Davis and listed him among the other superstars in the league.

“AD’s a great shot maker," Ayton said. "It takes the whole team to guard him. You treat him like a Giannis, you treat him like a Jokic, like all the other superstars in this league where you need the whole team to be a presence in front of them."

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Anthony Davis will be playing against the Lakers for the first time since his blockbuster trade last February. He missed the last 14 games due to a calf injury and will be hoping to guide the Mavericks to a win against a Lakers team that has won five consecutive games.