Lakers prepare to lean on Jaxson Hayes as Deandre Ayton remains day-to-day
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The Los Angeles Lakers are ready to expand Jaxson Hayes’ role if starting center Deandre Ayton is unable to suit up for Sunday’s game against the New York Knicks.
Head coach Darvin Ham said Ayton is listed as “day to day” with an undisclosed issue and will be monitored through the weekend. If the 7-foot former No. 1 overall pick cannot play, the Lakers plan to hand extended minutes to Hayes, who has averaged limited court time since joining the club last offseason.
“We trust Jaxson to give us what we need,” Ham told reporters after Friday’s practice in El Segundo. “His energy, his rim protection and his ability to run the floor fit exactly what we’re looking for, especially against a physical team like New York.”
Hayes, 26, said he is prepared for a heavier workload at Madison Square Garden. “Whenever my number’s called, I’m ready,” the 6-foot-11 reserve center noted. “The focus is on doing the dirty work—rebounding, setting screens, protecting the paint.”
The Knicks enter the matchup ranked among the league’s top offensive rebounding teams, anchored by center Mitchell Robinson. Ham acknowledged that Ayton’s absence would increase the importance of controlling the glass. “Jaxson brings that vertical spacing and defensive presence we rely on,” the coach added.
Ayton, who joined Los Angeles via trade before the season, has appeared in 58 of the Lakers’ 62 games, averaging 18.2 points and 11.5 rebounds. He left Wednesday’s win over the Clippers in the fourth quarter and did not practice Friday.
Tip-off against New York is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Source: New York Post
