The Los Angeles Lakers lost Deandre Ayton to a knee injury on Sunday night in a 108-106 win over the Utah Jazz, and it creates a massive problem. The big man was seen favoring the leg in the second quarter, and he didn’t return after halftime. Ayton has a right knee contusion. There was no additional update, but fans saw this story play out last season.
The Lakers started the second half against the Jazz with Jaxson Hayes at the five and were forced to use Maxi Kleber as the backup center. Los Angeles has no other big men. They will have to go small often if Ayton misses more time, which creates a problem LeBron James and Luka Doncic want to avoid.
DA was playing well for the Lakers and just getting his chemistry with LeBron. Fans are certainly worried about this knee injury because they know this roster desperately needs a difference-making center.
Deandre Ayton’s injury creates a massive problem for the Lakers
Ayton averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in his first 14 games before Sunday night. He gave LA’s stars a rim protector and a roll man. Luka plays his best with a dominant big man, and LeBron has long wanted a center upgrade. Ayton seemed like the perfect fit, which makes this injury worse.
After the Luka trade in February, Hayes was the only center on the Lakers roster to close last season. They tried to trade for Mark Williams, but a failed physical nixed the deal. Hayes moved into the starting lineup, but didn’t play more than ten minutes in any playoff game. Things got so bad that the big man never took the floor in the decisive game.
Los Angeles lacked rim protection and certain matchups were extremely problematic. Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun, Victor Wembanyama, and Chet Holmgren all create issues for Western Conference foes. The Lakers have to go small and hope the floor spacing negates any advantages the opposition’s size gives them.
If Ayton is out, the Lakers’ best lineups feature LeBron or Maxi Kleber playing the five. It gives them a five-out look, but that is a massive ask for a 40-year-old superstar. They will use Hayes as a minutes eater, but that isn’t a long-term solution either.
Lakers fans hope Ayton’s knee injury turns out to be minor. It was discouraging that he was unable to return to the floor on Sunday night. Fans will have to await an official update before Tuesday’s game against the Clippers.
Deandre Ayton suffered a knee injury in the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night. He didn’t return after halftime, but there were no other updates. All fans can do is hope it is not serious. The Lakers often hold injury news close to the vest. They need the seven-footer, so hopefully, Ayton returns in short order. Sadly, that is all supporters can do right now.
