When the lights went on and the marquee stars were shelved, the real story for the Los Angeles Lakers quietly wrote itself. While Austin Reaves exploded for 51 points and carried the offense, it’s DeAndre Ayton’s unassuming presence in the paint and his sudden back-spasm absence that might become the unspoken barometer of this team’s playoff viability.

He has been exceeding expectations, as now he is ranked 10th in the league in points scored in the paint. But there was an abrupt halt in his presence on the halloween matchup against the Grizzlies. Now the Lakers are hosting Miami Heat tonight, with many changes in the injury list. But will Deandre Ayton be suiting up tonight?

Is Deandre Ayton playing tonight?

The Lakers nation received encouraging news on Sunday, as Deandre Ayton was o

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