Los Angeles lists Smart, Kleber and Hayes as inactive; guard could be back for Denver
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The Los Angeles Lakers entered their matchup with the Chicago Bulls without three rotation veterans, holding out Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes as the club continues to navigate a season marked by injuries.
Head coach JJ Redick said before tip-off that Smart’s absence was precautionary while the guard nurses a sore hip. “He wants to play, but we just need it to calm down,” Redick noted, adding that the 32-year-old is considered day-to-day and is expected to be available Saturday when the Lakers face the Denver Nuggets.
Kleber’s situation appears less certain. The forward is dealing with a recurring back problem that first surfaced in December. “He’s had some good days, he’s had some bad days,” Redick said. “He’s probably going to be out for a little bit just so we can get this to calm down.” No specific timetable was provided.
Hayes is also battling back soreness. The center underwent imaging earlier in the day, but results were not yet available at the time Redick spoke to reporters.
The trio’s absence came on the same night LeBron James returned to the lineup. While James’ comeback bolsters the roster, losing Smart, Kleber and Hayes simultaneously tightens Redick’s rotation, particularly in the frontcourt.
Despite repeated injury setbacks throughout the 2025-26 campaign, guard Bronny James recently said the locker room believes the team can contend if it reaches full health.
Source: LakersNation.com
