SPORTS SECTION E
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026
KEVIN DURANT - Page E4
Ayton makes Lakers history
By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net
Scores 10 baskets without a miss in win over Raptors
DEANDRE Ayton turned in one of the most efficient games of the NBA season in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 110–93 win over the Toronto Raptors on January 18. Ayton did not miss a shot, finishing 10-for-10 from the field for 25 points and 13 rebounds in 33 minutes. Every basket came in rhythm, almost all at the rim, as he controlled the paint. The performance placed Ayton in rare Lakers history. He became just the fourth player in franchise history to post at least 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 100 per cent from the floor, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Mitch Kupchak and Shaquille O’Neal. For a franchise built on dominant big men, it was a notable milestone. “That’s pretty cool,” Ayton said after the game. “But I definitely give it up to my teammates. They find me in the easiest spots ever, and I got some easy ones tonight, for sure.” His efficiency was a product of spacing, ball movement and consistent rim pressure. Ayton has emphasized patience and readiness throughout the season as his role has fluctuated. “Pressure is a privilege,” Ayton said earlier this month. “This is the biggest opportunity of my career. I’m not going to take it for granted.” That mindset has been evident in recent weeks, as his minutes and impact have trended upward.
Ayton added a block and anchored a defence that held Toronto to a season-low 93 points. “It started with our defence,” Ayton said. “Guys cutting, moving energy, ball-finding energy, that’s what happened tonight.” His presence limited second-chance opportunities and helped the Lakers control tempo. On the season, Ayton is averaging 14.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting just under 69 per cent from the field. His efficiency ranks among the best in the league, and his production around the rim has provided steady offence for a Lakers team that often leans on perimeter creators. Lakers head coach JJ Redick has consistently highlighted Ayton’s importance. “We did a better job of getting Deandre Ayton touches to keep him involved,” Redick said. “He was great throughout the game.” Redick pointed to Ayton’s finishing as a key reason the offence flowed smoothly. Redick also stressed that Ayton’s impact extends beyond scoring. “He was phenomenal tonight,” Redick said after the Raptors' win. “He blocked shots, cleaned up possessions, and did exactly what we needed to win.” The Lakers were controlled whenever Ayton was on the floor.
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Gibson and Miller represent Bahamas at the Latin American Amateur Golf Championships By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RICHARD Gibson Jr and Lynford Miller didn't have the type
of performances they expected at the Latin American Amateur Golf Championships in Lima, Peru, over the weekend. Competing in his fourth championship,
Gibson - the 34-year-old Bahamas national amateur championship runner-up - advanced to the final two days of competition, while Miller - the 43-yearold national champion
- failed to make the cut over the first two days of competition. The duo represented the Bahamas Golf Federation after they both qualified from the nationals and were the top ranked Bahamian amateur golfers in the World Amateur Golf Ranking system. Gibson Jr, who competed in 2024 where he missed the cut, 2023 where he was tied for 19th and in his debut in 2018 where he missed the cut, said he was thrilled to play over the final two days, but the performance wasn't what he expected. "The weekend didn't go as planned. For the last two days, we drew the worst hand, but thank God it came on the last two days as opposed to the first two days," Gibson Jr said. Gibson Jr, who missed last year's event with Nolan Johnson because of visa issues and again in 2019 as a result of a car accident, said his performance was consistent, but not at the top of the chart. "I came hot out of the gate with a two-over and then a five-over. That is pretty much consistent in that area," he said. "Then in the last two rounds, I literally shot 79 back-toback, so I guess it was kind of consistent, but not the consistency that I wanted.
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Nevertheless, I gave God the honour." With Miller as his travelling partner this year, Gibson Jr said it was kind of rough for him. "He tried to be the nice guy, but those first hole jitters and nerves are different and he saw it," Gibson Jr said. "It's different when you're playing with people you know and playing you don't know and then playing in little crowds. So it was definitely a different
experience for him. But he did well." Miller, the president of the BGF, said his putting was his downfall because of too many three putts. "It’s my first appearance at this event and this was not my best performance I would say," he stressed. "It was not as easy as it appeared to be at first glance."Both players have indicated that they are looking forward to returning to the tournament next year.