Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was sidelined for the second half of Sunday night’s game against the Utah Jazz due to a right knee contusion. Ayton, who had previously battled an illness that kept him out of practice earlier in the week, managed to travel to Utah and play in the game. In the first half, he logged 13 minutes on the court, contributing two points and three rebounds, but appeared to be limping towards the end of the second quarter.
Following halftime, Jaxson Hayes took over as the starting center for the third quarter, as Ayton was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the night. While the team hopes for a precautionary approach regarding Ayton’s injury, his availability will be closely monitored ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup against the L.A. Clippers.
In Ayton’s absence, Hayes is expected to continue in the starting role, with Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt likely sharing the backup minutes. The Lakers, who have already faced numerous injuries this season, were finally starting to get healthy, making this potential setback another challenge for the team.
Prior to his injury, Ayton had been performing well and expressed his growing comfort in the pick-and-roll game with the Lakers’ guards. He noted how effective their communication and understanding have been, facilitating a smoother offensive flow. “It’s just understanding that they want me to set screens and them communicating like ‘OK, DA, get out now.’ It makes my life very easy,” Ayton remarked.
The Lakers will be eager to see Ayton back in action soon, as his presence has been pivotal to the team’s dynamics on the court. With upcoming games, fans are hopeful that he can quickly return and continue to build on his early-season success.