Lakers Center Deandre Ayton Sits Second Half Against Jazz With Knee Contusion
lakers-center-deandre-ayton-sits-second-half-against-jazz-with-knee-contusion
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was ruled out for the second half of Sunday night’s game against the Utah Jazz after sustaining a right knee contusion at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
Ayton, who had missed practice earlier in the week because of an illness, managed to start the game and logged 13 first-half minutes, finishing with two points and three rebounds. He appeared to be favoring his right leg late in the second quarter. When the teams returned from the locker room, Jaxson Hayes opened the third period in Ayton’s place, and the Lakers later confirmed that Ayton would not return.
The club has not offered a timeline for the 27-year-old center, but his status will be watched closely with the Lakers scheduled to face the L.A. Clippers on Tuesday night. In Ayton’s absence, head coach JJ Redick is expected to keep Hayes with the starters while Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt share reserve minutes.
The Lakers had only recently reached full health after a string of early-season setbacks, making Ayton’s latest issue another short-term hurdle.
Before the injury, Ayton said he had grown more comfortable operating in pick-and-roll actions with the team’s primary ball-handlers, noting that consistent communication and screen placement were “making life very easy” for him around the rim.
Source: Lakers Nation
