Lakers Center Deandre Ayton Sidelined for Nuggets Game With Knee Injury
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The Los Angeles Lakers ruled Deandre Ayton out of Thursday night’s road matchup with the Denver Nuggets because of a knee injury, the team announced.
Ayton started the game at Ball Arena but logged only five minutes, failing to score while collecting two rebounds. He did not return for the remainder of the first half, and Jaxson Hayes opened the third quarter in his spot before Ayton was officially declared unavailable for the rest of the contest.
No timetable was provided for the 27-year-old center, who has experienced previous knee problems. His absence leaves Los Angeles thin in the paint, as forward Maxi Kleber also missed Thursday’s game with a back issue.
Hayes—who has seen his role expand in recent weeks—figures to receive additional minutes if Ayton remains out. The Lakers close the back-to-back set Friday night when they host the Indiana Pacers, and Ayton’s status for that game is considered doubtful given the quick turnaround.
O’Neal Questions Ayton’s Effort
During a recent ESPN segment, Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal criticized Ayton’s consistency, saying the big man could elevate the Lakers by focusing on screens, rebounding and running the floor. O’Neal compared Ayton’s responsibilities to those of Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela and suggested that playing hard every possession would generate easy scoring opportunities.
Los Angeles enters Friday’s contest still searching for frontcourt stability as the team monitors Ayton’s recovery.
Source: Lakers Nation
