Deandre Ayton Snags Career-High 23 Rebounds in Blazers’ First Win

Deandre Ayton has come under fire for his early showing with the Trail Blazers, and both he and the Blazers could’ve used a big night.

Thanks in large part to Ayton, they got it.

Ayton grabbed 23 rebounds and the Blazers topped the Raptors by a 99-91 for their first victory of the season. And it came on the road.

Ayton only scored 10 points, but Portland didn’t need him to shoot a lot. They just needed defense and rebounding, and that’s what he delivered.

“His presence was felt everywhere on the floor tonight,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told reporters of Ayton. “Those are some of the things that we’re going to expect to be getting from him.”

Jerami Grant scored 22 to lead the Blazers, who have been remade after trading Damian Lillard to the Bucks.

“It feels great to get that first win,” Grant said. “We just want to build on it and keep getting better.”