Lakers Center Jaxson Hayes Targets Quick Return From Hamstring Tightness
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Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes underwent an MRI on his left hamstring Monday and hopes to rejoin the lineup for Thursday’s home game against the Charlotte Hornets, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Hayes, 25, told McMenamin he has experienced tightness in the hamstring for more than a week and aggravated the issue during Saturday’s win over the Sacramento Kings. The injury forced him to sit out Sunday’s 118-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
“If the MRI comes back clean, I’m planning on playing the next one,” Hayes said while arriving at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.
The Lakers have managed a steady stream of injuries in recent weeks, and head coach JJ Redick turned to a smaller rotation against Atlanta. Jarred Vanderbilt started at center, while veteran big man Maxi Kleber did not appear in the game.
Hayes re-signed with Los Angeles last summer after emerging as Luka Doncic’s primary pick-and-roll partner late in the 2024-25 season. Coming off the bench this year, he has provided vertical spacing and improved rim protection for a squad that entered Monday at 27-15.
The Lakers will host the Hornets on Thursday night. Hayes’ availability will be determined after team doctors review his MRI results.
Source: LakersNation.com
