PORTLAND -- Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton hears the hating. Despite averaging a double-double for his career, the 7-foot center in his sixth season out of Arizona knows there are doubts and jokes. Lots of jokes, in fact.
But when Ayton is at his best, as he’s been since the calendar flipped to 2024, he’s the one laughing.
“I listen and I hear it and I love it,” said Ayton of his doubters. “I thank these haters for it, cause it’s making me approach this game in the right way and carry the PDX on my back all the way. So I thank them. I’m wearing the cape all the way.”
Ayton posted a season-high 33 points, just two off his career-high, on 15-of-20 shooting, 19 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block to lead the Trail Blazers to a 106-102 victory versus the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday night at Moda Center.
The Trail Blazers are now 19-46 overall and 11-23 at home this season.
Deandre Ayton Highlights (33 PTS, 19 REBS) | Trail Blazers vs. Atlanta Hawks | March 13
While Ayton’s performance Wednesday night was one of his best as a Trail Blazer, it’s hardly out of the ordinary these days for the 25 year-old Bahamian. It’s the second time this season that he’s posted at least 30 points and 19 rebounds in a game, something that only he and Nikola Jokic have done.
“Just playing hard, man, approaching the game the way I want to approach it,” said Ayton. “Every night’s a big night playing with these guys and getting to know them and just being out there with them and battling. That’s all I can say, that’s what lead to it to be honest.”
In the three games since returning from missing five games with a hand injury, Ayton is averaging 26.0 points on 57 percent shooting from the field, 17.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 36.5 minutes, making him one of just three players this season who has posted three-straight games of at least 20 points and 15 rebounds.
What’s more, it’s the second-longest such streak in team history, with only Bill Walton putting together a longer run. He’s posted double-doubles in six-straight games and in eight of his last nine appearances and is averaging 22.4 points on 62 percent shooting and 14.6 rebounds. In short, the man who calls himself “DominAyton” is, well, dominating.
“I feel like coming into these games, I’m trying to do everything,” said Ayton. “Not only do my requirements, my role for this team, but do a lot more. That’s where I’m at. I’m more dominant. People like to laugh at it but it’s the truth.”
Deandre Ayton Postgame Interview | Portland Trail Blazers 106, Atlanta Hawks 102
After an up-and-down start to his career in Portland, much of which can be attributed to injuries, Ayton has looked every bit like the franchise center the Trail Blazers hoped he would be when they acquired the top overall pick of the 2018 Draft from the Phoenix Suns prior to the start of the season. While the stakes are a bit low this season as the Trail Blazer prioritize development rather than wins, the way Ayton has played as of late is reason to believe the big man variable of the rebuild equation is fixed.
“I just be trying to bust that ass. That’s about it,” said Ayton. “Whether I look like the bad guy or not, I’m trying to be great. I’m trying to be a winner in this league. I’m trying to be known as that guy. If you’re around me, you’re going to learn how to win.”
Anfernee Simons finished Wednesday’s win with 36 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and a steal in 42 minutes. Dalano Banton added 12 points, five rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes. Kris Murray finished with nine points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block and Matisse Thybulle contributed eight points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks in 32 minutes.
Next up, the Trail Blazers host the Knicks Thursday night in the second game of a back-to-back and the last game of a six-game homestand. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.