THE Los Angeles Lakers wish to get again within the win column after a two-game skid that adopted a six-game profitable streak. They’re heading out on the street for 2 video games in opposition to the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs, they usually have some reinforcements on the way in which. Backup Middle Jaxson Hayes now not appeared on the Lakers’ harm report, paving the way in which for his return to the lineup.
Jaxson Hayes has missed the Lakers’ final 5 video games with an ankle harm. His absence put a little bit of a pressure on the Lakers’ depth within the frontcourt. Christian Wooden and Jarred Vanderbilt has been sidelined attributable to harm. and have but to debut within the 2024-25 season.
With the group shedding three gamers within the frontcourt, head coach JJ Redick turned to Christian Koloko who’s on a two-way contract. Koloko is in his second season and was lately medically cleared by the NBA to renew his profession. He missed all of final season attributable to a blood clot.
Along with Vanderbilt and Wooden remaining out, the Lakers may even be with out Bronny James, who’s out with a heel harm, and Jalen Hood-Schifino, assigned to the South Bay Lakers. Anthony Davis stays probably as he suffers from plantar fasciitis.
The group began the season 10-6 beneath Redick in his first 12 months on the helm. Amid their accidents within the first zone, the Lakers explored commerce avenues for potential middle.
The significance of Jaxson Hayes for the Lakers
With accidents to Wooden and Vanderbilt, the Lakers relied closely on Hayes because the group’s backup middle. And he did a strong job in his function.
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Again at media day, Hayes talked about engaged on his decision-making with the ball in his fingers whereas taking part in within the quick roll. However because the season progressed, he flourished extra in his pure off-ball function. He was a display screen passer and an enormous rim runner who was efficient across the basket.
Redick additionally praised Hayes’ defensive exercise. The six-year massive man is in his second season with the Lakers after signing as a free agent throughout the 2023 offseason.
Hayes performed in ten of the Lakers’ first 16 video games, together with one begin, for simply over 17 minutes per recreation. He’s averaging 6.3 factors and 4.6 rebounds with splits of 70.6 p.c capturing from the sector and 78.9 p.c capturing from the free throw line.
David Yapkowitz is a basketball reporter for ClutchPoints, writing NBA, WNBA and NCAA Basketball information for women and men. The Los Angeles native has bylines with Basketball Insiders, SB Nation and The Subsequent Hoops.
