Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes returned to practice on Tuesday and said he expects to play in Game 1 of the first-round series against the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
Hayes, 26, missed the final four regular-season contests with a left foot injury. After going through the full workout at the team’s El Segundo facility, he reported significant improvement.
“I’m feeling a lot better,” Hayes told reporters. “Getting a few days off was much needed. With my job, I jump and run a lot, so resting the foot helped a ton.”
The 7-footer explained that the issue developed over time. “It was kind of an accumulation over the years,” he said. “Seven years of jumping around the NBA at seven-foot isn’t gonna be the best.”
Despite the discomfort, Hayes insisted the setback was never serious enough to jeopardize his postseason availability. “I was gonna play no matter what,” he said. “If I was hurting, I’d be playing, and if I wasn’t hurting, I’d be playing.”
The Lakers enter the series without top scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who remain sidelined. Guard Marcus Smart recently returned from a left ankle contusion, leaving Hayes as one of the few front-court reserves at full strength.
Head coach JJ Redick has relied on Hayes as the primary backup to starting center Deandre Ayton. Hayes averaged 7.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 19.4 minutes during the regular season, providing rim protection and energy off the bench. His presence is expected to be critical against a Houston frontline anchored by All-Star Alperen Şengün and veteran Clint Capela.
Ayton said he welcomes the physical challenge the Rockets present. “It’s going to be a battle in the paint,” he noted after Tuesday’s practice.
Game 1 tips off Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, with Los Angeles aiming to compensate for its missing scorers through defense and interior toughness—roles Hayes and Ayton are poised to fill.
Source: Lakers Nation
