The Los Angeles Lakers will have center Jaxson Hayes back in uniform Thursday night against the Phoenix Suns after upgrading him to available. Hayes had missed Tuesday’s matchup with the Orlando Magic because of an ankle bruise.
Forward Rui Hachimura, however, will sit out the contest due to illness, the team announced. Hachimura has been the club’s most reliable three-point shooter this season, providing valuable spacing that head coach JJ Redick must now replace.
Hayes’ return should bolster a reserve unit that has struggled throughout the year. The 23-year-old has supplied energy and rim pressure off the bench, working well with the Lakers’ playmakers, including guard Austin Reaves.
Aside from Hachimura, Los Angeles travels with a full roster for its first road game after a nine-game homestand that ended 4-4. Phoenix, meanwhile, remains short-handed without All-Star guard Devin Booker, veteran wing Dillon Brooks, and former Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin.
The Suns hold a 2-1 edge in the season series and sit just behind the Lakers in the Western Conference standings, adding weight to Thursday’s meeting. A victory would prevent Phoenix from claiming the head-to-head tiebreaker and help Los Angeles maintain distance from the Play-In positions.
Los Angeles enters a crucial stretch as it seeks to build chemistry and momentum approaching the postseason. Hayes’ availability—and finding ways to compensate for Hachimura’s absence—could be pivotal to that effort.
Source: Lakers Nation
