The Los Angeles Lakers have released their injury report ahead of Monday’s Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.
Guard Luka Doncic (lower left leg contusion) and center Jaxson Hayes (left ankle soreness) are questionable, forward Rui Hachimura (right groin soreness) is probable, and guard Gabe Vincent (lumbar strain) remains out.
Doncic sat out Wednesday’s lopsided loss to the Phoenix Suns after being struck in the leg during Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Although he missed the remainder of that contest, the injury was not deemed serious, and multiple reports say he is expected to play on Monday.
Hachimura has missed the past two games with groin soreness. The Lakers dropped consecutive games for the first time this season without Doncic and Hachimura, and the team has consistently been cautious with injuries throughout the year.
Hayes rolled his left ankle late in the loss to Phoenix and did not return. If he is unable to suit up, Maxi Kleber would likely serve as the primary backup to starting center Deandre Ayton—a key consideration against a Houston squad that excels on the offensive glass.
Vincent will miss at least one more game as he continues to recover from his back injury.
Austin Reaves, who had been sidelined three games with a calf strain, returned against the Suns under a minutes restriction. “I was pretty tired the first couple of minutes, but after that it felt good,” Reaves said postgame. “I thought I caught a decent rhythm in the second quarter too, getting to the rim. But it’s gonna take time.”
Tip-off on Christmas Day is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
Source: LakersNation.com
