The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a setback as center Jaxson Hayes will be sidelined for the next few games due to a left ankle sprain he sustained in practice on Tuesday. This means he will miss the upcoming game against the Memphis Grizzlies and will be reevaluated in one to two weeks.
This injury adds to the challenges the Lakers are already dealing with among their centers. Christian Wood is still recovering from offseason knee surgery, and Anthony Davis recently suffered an eye injury in their game against the Toronto Raptors. Despite this, Davis was cleared to play in the next game, although he has had previous issues with the same eye.
Hayes, who has been averaging 6.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season, had a standout performance in the Lakers’ recent win over the Raptors, scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds. He stepped up to fill in for Davis after his injury.
Unfortunately, Wood is also out of commission for the Lakers due to knee soreness following a previous arthroscopic procedure. He will be sidelined for at least another month.
With limited options at the center position, the Lakers will rely on two-way player Christian Koloko, who has recently been cleared to play after dealing with a blood clot issue last season. The team will face the San Antonio Spurs in their upcoming game as they kick off the NBA Cup.
Despite these challenges, the Lakers hold a 6-4 record and are coming off back-to-back wins. They remain determined to overcome their current obstacles and continue their success in the league.