All Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Injury Status For Lakers vs Suns

Will L.A.'s starting center return against Phoenix on Sunday?
Alex Kirschenbaum|
Oct 6, 2024; Palm Desert, California, USA: Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) moves the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Acrisure Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2024; Palm Desert, California, USA: Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) moves the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Acrisure Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images

In this story:

Los Angeles Lakers

A member of the reeling Los Angeles Lakers' injured starting frontcourt is nearing a return to action for what would normally be a very winnable matinee matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Unfortunately, it's not LeBron James.

Per Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, center Jaxson Hayes is considered probable to suit up for the Phoenix clash. He's been sidelined since L.A.'s 113-109 victory against the New York Knicks on March 6 with a right knee contusion.

Five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic, who sat out the Lakers' 131-126 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday with a right ankle sprain, has seen his status upgraded to probable. Rookie sharpshooter Dalton Knecht, who scored 32 points against Denver, has meanwhile been downgraded — albeit to probable, a pretty optimistic status.

More Los Angeles Lakers: Dalton Knecht Proving Why Initial Lakers Trade Was a Mistake

James (left groin strain), starting small forward Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy) and backup center/power forward Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery recovery) will sit out the bout.

More Los Angeles Lakers: Head Coach JJ Redick Offers Major Injury Update on Lakers' Rui Hachimura

Hayes essentially became the Lakers' starting center by default, following the team's trade of All-Star Anthony Davis, its decision to waive injured Christian Wood, L.A. rescinding its trade for Mark Williams, and Kleber's continued recovery from injury.

Now, after three straight games of Alex Len starting, Los Angeles fans finally appreciate what they have in Hayes.

In those three contests, the veteran buyout market signing has averaged a scant 1.3 points on 33.3 percent shooting, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists a night. The 7-footer has offered little resistance at the rim, and is not the lob threat that Hayes has been for All-Star Luka Doncic.

More Los Angeles Lakers: Bronny James Gets Brutally Honest About NBA Development with Lakers

Potentially getting Hayes back is exciting, and might even be enough against a team as allergic to chemistry as the Suns. But Hayes is certainly not the only Laker fans are hoping returns sooner rather than later. While a Doncic return is at least possible, missing James and Hachimura once again is going to limit L.A.'s frontcourt versatility on both sides of the hardwood.

More Los Angeles Lakers:

Shams Charania Reveals Wild Details of How Lakers Trade for Luka Doncic Went Down

Mavericks Owner Continues to Make Things Worse After Lakers Trade of Luka Doncic

Latest Trade Proposal Has Lakers Finally Land 5-Time All-Star Guard

For the latest Los Angeles Lakers news and notes, stay glued to Los Angeles Lakers On SI.

Published
Alex Kirschenbaum
ALEX KIRSCHENBAUM

Currently also a scribe for Newsweek, Hoops Rumors, The Sporting News and "Gremlins" director Joe Dante's film site Trailers From Hell, Alex is an alum of Men's Journal, Grizzlies fan site Grizzly Bear Blues, and Bulls fan sites Blog-A-Bull and Pippen Ain't Easy, among others.

Home/News