Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said he is “very confident” in backup center Jaxson Hayes should starter Deandre Ayton be forced to miss time with a knee injury suffered against the Denver Nuggets.
Ayton was ruled out for the second half of Los Angeles’ loss in Denver after experiencing discomfort in his knee. The injury occurred only days after the Lakers had posted a clean injury report for the first time this season.
Hayes seizes extended minutes
With Ayton unavailable, Hayes logged 28 minutes—well above his season average—and finished with 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting, five rebounds and two assists. The 26-year-old has already been closing several recent games, a trend Redick acknowledged when discussing the team’s adjusted rotation.
“I thought he was terrific tonight,” Redick told Spectrum SportsNet. “Not having Maxi hurt us, particularly with DA out, but I definitely have confidence in Jaxson.”
Shifting dynamics at center
Ayton opened the 2025-26 campaign strong, yet coaches have questioned his energy and effort in recent weeks. As a result, Hayes has seen a steady rise in playing time and has shown smoother chemistry with the Lakers’ star duo.
The Lakers entered the Denver matchup on a three-game winning streak, but Ayton’s health now clouds the short-term outlook for a club already battling for position in a crowded Western Conference playoff race. Every remaining contest is being treated as urgent as Los Angeles tries to stack victories against fellow postseason hopefuls.
Redick praises Hayes’ season-long growth
Hayes re-signed with the Lakers last summer and is enjoying the most productive regular season of his career. Redick has repeatedly highlighted the center’s development, citing improved motor, defensive awareness and rapport with the team’s primary scorers.
Los Angeles will evaluate Ayton’s knee in the coming days. If the former No. 1 pick is sidelined, Hayes is expected to slide into the starting lineup while continuing to anchor closing lineups.
Source: LakersNation
