After the Orlando Magic matchup, Deandre Ayton infamously proclaimed he was not Clint Capela. Someone on the Los Angeles Lakers had to have quietly sighed in that moment and thought, "Brother, we know." That sentiment behind that would not have been of relief, but disappointment.
Ayton played 32 minutes against the Magic due to Jaxson Hayes missing the contest. Ever since, his playing time has dropped significantly lower than that outing. The Lakers center is averaging 21.5 minutes per game in the last four contests. There is no real reason to push for that to change either.
Hayes' return to the lineup after his brief one-game injury absence has coincided with the Lakers going 3-1.