Lakers rule Ayton, Reaves out; Vincent questionable, Kleber probable for Thursday in Utah
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The Los Angeles Lakers will be without starting center Deandre Ayton and guard Austin Reaves when they face the Utah Jazz on the road Thursday night, the team announced in its latest injury report.
Ayton is sidelined by left elbow soreness, marking his first missed game of the season. Reaves will sit for the second straight contest because of a left calf strain, though the club believes he could return as soon as Saturday. The third-year guard was spotted taking jump shots during Wednesday’s practice session.
With Ayton unavailable, Jaxson Hayes is expected to step into the starting lineup at center. The Lakers also list forward Maxi Kleber (lumbar muscle strain) as probable after he missed the past two games, providing needed depth in the frontcourt.
Guard Gabe Vincent is questionable because of low back soreness, a new issue for the reserve playmaker. If Vincent cannot go, rookie Nick Smith Jr. could see minutes at backup point guard, with Adou Thiero potentially entering the rotation.
Ayton’s off-court impact draws praise
Although Ayton will not play Thursday, his presence has been felt in other ways. The 27-year-old recently received the NBA’s Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for November in recognition of his contributions to hurricane-relief efforts in the Caribbean. Head coach JJ Redick said the organization appreciates both Ayton’s consistency on the floor and his charitable work off it.
The Lakers (record not provided) and Jazz tip off Thursday at Vivint Arena.
Source: Lakers Nation
