Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes said a mild right-wrist sprain will not keep him out of Tuesday’s regular-season opener. Hayes left Friday’s preseason game early but told reporters he expects to play through the injury and resume his role as Deandre Ayton’s primary backup after starting 35 games last year.
The 26-year-old also confirmed he is pursuing a Slovenian passport to join teammate Luka Doncic on that country’s national team. “We have the same agent, and my parents and his parents are all kind of working on it right now,” Hayes explained, noting the conversations have been ongoing for about 18 months.
Opening-night lineup without LeBron
Head coach JJ Redick unveiled a LeBron James-less starting five in the preseason finale: Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Ayton. Vincent, informed of the move Friday morning, averaged 16.2 points while shooting 55.6% from three during the preseason. “There’s a lot of shooting around Luka and DA, and Gabe is another ball handler, another tough defender,” Redick said. Los Angeles finished the exhibition slate 1-5.
Injury roundup
Redick added that two-way guard Chris Manon practiced fully after a Grade 2 ankle sprain. Bronny James (ankle) and rookie Adou Thiero (knee) participated on a modified basis as they continue their recoveries.
Fine-tuning the lob game
The coach identified lob connections as a focal point heading into the season. “We’ve got to figure out our lobs,” Redick said. Reaves noted differences when running the two-man game with Ayton compared with Hayes or Anthony Davis. “I can throw some lobs to Jaxson that I can’t throw to DA. I can throw pocket passes to DA that I can’t throw to Jaxson,” he explained, emphasizing repetition and personnel awareness.
The Lakers open the regular season Tuesday night with Hayes aiming to be available despite his wrist issue.
Source: HoopsRumors
