Deandre Ayton Details Knee Scare as Lakers Ready for NBA Cup Test Against Mavericks

As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for their final West Group B game in NBA Cup play, center Deandre Ayton has offered a clear account of the knee injury that kept him out earlier in the week. After being listed as probable, Ayton was upgraded to available Friday, reinforcing the likelihood that he will return to the lineup for the matchup against the struggling Dallas Mavericks.

Speaking during shootaround, Ayton described the moment of injury in frank terms, recounting how the impact initially left him fearing the worst. His comments underscored the uncertainty players face when dealing with sudden, high-impact collisions in the middle of a demanding schedule.

Ayton had been unavailable for Tuesday’s NBA Cup win over the Clippers, a game that kept the Lakers undefeated in group play. Swelling and limited mobility prevented him from suiting up, prompting a short but intensive recovery period that he said began to take effect quickly.

Now, with the Lakers sitting atop West Group B and the Mavericks seeking to halt a difficult slide, Ayton’s return comes at a moment that could shape both teams’ NBA Cup paths.

1. Inside the Injury and Initial Concerns

Ayton described the injury as a “bone-to-bone contusion,” the product of a direct kneecap-to-kneecap collision that left him briefly thinking something had broken. The 27-year-old said the pain was sharp and immediate, but ultimately the diagnosis allowed room for optimism. While the bruising was severe, Ayton emphasized that the injury was something he could technically play through — just not with the level of swelling he experienced in the aftermath. That swelling, he noted, became the real obstacle to taking the floor earlier in the week. On Tuesday, as the Lakers prepared to face the Clippers, Ayton said he had virtually no mobility in the knee, describing it as “too swollen” to move properly. Only after medication, rest and overnight improvement did he begin to regain stability. By Wednesday morning, he said he “woke up with a new knee,” allowing him to begin therapy and resume on-court work that ultimately led to his clearance for Friday’s game.

2. Recovery Process and Return Timeline

Ayton confirmed that he did not undergo a draining procedure, instead relying on medication and anti-inflammatory treatment to reduce swelling. He credited the team’s training staff for consistent attention over the two-day break leading into Friday’s matchup. Even on Thanksgiving Day, Ayton said members of the staff checked on him and ensured he maintained his treatment schedule. Those steady sessions helped him return to shooting and movement work without discomfort during Friday’s shootaround. Asked whether he might be returning too quickly, Ayton dismissed the suggestion, pointing to the team’s demanding schedule and his desire to remain available. He noted that narratives about his availability follow him but said he refuses to let them shape his approach. The center’s return is well timed for the Lakers, who have benefited from his efficient production early this season and will rely on his interior presence in a game with significant Cup implications.

3. Ayton’s Impact and the Stakes Ahead

Ayton has quietly emerged as one of Los Angeles’ most consistent contributors, averaging 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds on a career-high 69.6% shooting through 15 games. His ability to provide paint scoring and defensive stability has complemented the team’s star trio of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James. He praised the Lakers’ momentum following Tuesday’s win, which secured their spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Watching from the sideline, Ayton said he focused on identifying where he could elevate their efforts, particularly defensively, against teams with strong frontcourts. The matchup against Dallas also marks the return of Anthony Davis, who is set to play his first game in Los Angeles since his February trade to the Mavericks. Davis has missed nearly a month with a calf strain but is expected to rejoin the lineup Friday. With the Lakers entering at 3–0 in group play and Dallas fighting to keep its Cup hopes alive, the meeting offers meaningful stakes for both teams at Crypto.com Arena.