TITLE: Lakers Rule Out Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes for Saturday Road Game vs. Trail Blazers
SLUG: lakers-ruled-out-ayton-hayes-vs-blazers
CONTENT:
The Los Angeles Lakers will be without both of their primary centers when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night. The club announced that Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) and Jaxson Hayes (left hamstring tendinopathy) have been downgraded to out.
Expanded Injury List
Ayton and Hayes join three other sidelined Lakers:
- Luka Doncic – left groin soreness
- Austin Reaves – left calf strain
- Adou Thiero – right MCL sprain
Doncic described his groin issue as lingering soreness following the team’s recent win over the Atlanta Hawks and is expected to sit out for maintenance. Reaves is projected to return in approximately one week, while Hayes’ hamstring problem is not considered severe but has already cost him Los Angeles’ last three contests.
Frontcourt Concerns
Head coach JJ Redick is once again limited to non-center lineups. LeBron James could see minutes as a de facto center alongside Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme. The Lakers were outrebounded by 15 in their recent loss to the Charlotte Hornets, underscoring the importance of securing the glass against Portland.
Scoring Burden Shifts
With Doncic unavailable, James will direct much of the offense. Los Angeles owns the NBA’s lowest-scoring bench, increasing the need for Rui Hachimura—still under a minutes restriction after a calf strain—to provide an offensive spark.
Portland’s Injury Report
The Trail Blazers have their own concerns. Leading scorer Deni Avdija (lower back strain), Scoot Henderson, and Matisse Thybulle are out. Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant are listed as questionable for the matchup at Moda Center.
Hayes Earns Praise
Despite his current setback, Hayes drew commendation from Doncic earlier this season for his improved strength and fundamentals. The athletic big man closed several games in place of Ayton before the hamstring injury.
Tipoff in Portland is scheduled for Saturday night.
Source: LakersNation.com
