Bahamian National Basketball Association (NBA) big man Deandre Ayton erupted for a double-double in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 123-115 victory over his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, on Monday night at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Ayton, who was sidelined against the Miami Heat due to back spasms, made his return to the starting lineup and produced a team-high 29 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in 31 minutes of action.
He was efficient in the outing, knocking down 14 of 19 field goals for 73.7 percent shooting in the win.
The stellar performance marked Ayton’s third double-double of the season in the purple and gold uniform.
The Los Angeles Lakers, who are currently positioned third in the Western Conference, have been rolling in their last four games.
The team is on a four-game winning streak and currently own a 6-2 (win/loss record), despite playing with a limited rotation to start the season.
As for Ayton, he had a productive return against the Trail Blazers, who bought him out of his contract during the NBA offseason.
He shouldered the load for a team that was missing primary scorers Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, who has yet to suit up for the Lakers this season.
The Blazers gained the upper hand, 39-29, at the 9:21 mark of the second period after Jerami Grant threw down a dunk.
Lakers sophomore Dalton Knecht brought the team within one, 53-52, with a pull-up jumper at the 1:31 mark.
The Trail Blazers narrowly led 53-52 at halftime.
In the third period, Lakers point guard Marcus Smart missed a layup, but Ayton put back the offensive board to trim the deficit to two (66-64) early in the quarter.
Smart eventually gave the team the advantage, 68-66, with a two-pointer with 6:43 remaining in the quarter.
The Lakers pulled ahead 90-86 with one quarter to go.
The team never relinquished the lead after the third period.
Los Angeles shot 58.8 percent from the field while holding Portland to 49.4 percent shooting.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija led all scorers with 33 points, six rebounds, and two assists in 36 minutes.
The Trail Blazers are now 4-3, sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference.
While Ayton and the Lakers continue to pick up steam, three-point specialist Klay Thompson and Dallas Mavericks continue to struggle in the Western Conference.
The team suffered its fifth loss of the season, 110-102, against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on Monday night.
Thompson put together five points, three rebounds and three assists in the loss.
Dallas is now 2-5 for the season, good enough for 14th place in the conference.
The Mavericks will look to gain some traction against the winless New Orleans Pelicans tonight at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The matchup begins at 8:30 p.m.
The Lakers will next go head to head against the San Antonio Spurs tonight at 10 p.m. at the [Crypto.com](http://Crypto.com) Arena in Los Angeles, California.