LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber to Sit Out Lakers’ Home Game Against Pacers
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The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled out LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber for Friday night’s matchup with the Indiana Pacers at Crypto.com Arena, the second half of a back-to-back set.
The club’s official injury report lists James with a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis, Ayton with left knee soreness and Kleber with a lumbar back strain. No other Lakers are on the report.
Kleber missed Thursday’s road loss to the Denver Nuggets with the same back issue and will now be sidelined for a second straight contest. Ayton left that game five minutes after tip-off and did not return. Head coach J.J. Redick said Jaxson Hayes will start at center, with the team expected to use small-ball lineups at times while Drew Timme could receive reserve minutes.
James injured his elbow on a late-game fall in Denver. Although he finished the contest, the 20-year veteran described lingering soreness, prompting the decision to rest on a quick turnaround.
Los Angeles enters Friday at 37-25, facing an Indiana squad that has dropped seven straight and sits at 15-47. The Lakers will still have Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart and the rest of the regular rotation available.
After Thursday’s defeat, Smart defended Ayton against recent criticism, saying the center “wants to do good and help this team” but has been frustrated by his health setbacks.
Source: Lakers Nation
