While the Los Angeles Lakers spent last week crisscrossing the country, with 10 days on the road from Atlanta, to Charlotte, to Oklahoma City, to New Orleans and to Milwaukee before heading home, Deandre Ayton became accustomed to a new postgame ritual.

The game would end, Ayton would pull out his phone in the locker room and a text message from LeBron James would be waiting for him and the team in their group chat.

"Just supporting us and knowing that he's watching," Ayton said. "And just pumping us up. Even in a loss, he is sending his wisdom and his encouragement. You've got to love it."

From now on, James' method of delivery will be far more direct.

On Monday, 201 days since Game 5 of their first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves , James was back playing 5-on

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