Los Angeles Lakers starting center Deandre Ayton has been ruled out for the rest of the club’s ongoing road matchup with the Utah Jazz, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Ayton suffered a right knee contusion during the opening half. Jaxson Hayes replaced him in JJ Redick’s starting lineup to kick off the third quarter.
Los Angeles leads, 84-81, heading into the fourth frame. Five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic paces all Lakers with 25 points on 8-of-20 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 shooting from the foul line.
Guard Austin Reaves is on the cusp of a double-double, with 17 points (on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor) and nine rebounds. 21-time All-NBA power forward LeBron James has a 13-point, seven-assist, five-rebound night so far.
Ayton, meanwhile, finishes with two points on 1-of-2 shooting from the floor, three rebounds, and a steal.
Selected with the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, ahead of future All-Stars Doncic (the No. 3 pick), Jaren Jackson Jr. (No. 4), Trae Young (No. 5), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (No. 11) and Jalen Brunson (No. 33), Ayton has developed into a respectable starting center.
He was a key cog for the Phoenix Suns’ run to the 2021 NBA Finals, but has been plagued by rumors of chemistry issues both there and later with the Portland Trail BLazers.
This story will be updated…
