Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes Delivers Injury Update on Himself After Preseason Scare

Oct 15, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) shoots from the free throw line during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images | Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes has supplied an injury update on his health following a preseason scare.

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The 7-foot big man exited Los Angeles' 117-116 preseason defeat against the Sacramento Kings on Friday. In just eight minutes of action, he scored six points on 3-of-4 shooting from the floor, four boards, and a steal, while logging a -5 plus-minus.

According to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register, Hayes has what he's classifying as a light wrist sprain, but plans to suit up for LA's season opening game on Tuesday against the revamped Golden State Warriors.

Jaxson Hayes says he has a light sprain in his wrist but will be fine to play for Tuesday's opener against the Warriors.

— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) October 19, 2025

In 32 minutes, five-time All-NBA First Team superstar guard Luka Doncic paced the Lakers with 31 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the floor (6-of-11 from deep) and 9-of-12 shooting from the charity stripe, pulled down nine dimes, grabbed five rebounds, swiped a steal and blocked one shot.

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Forward Rui Hachimura, playing his more natural four spot with LeBron James shelved, chipped in 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field (4-of-5 from beyond the arc) and 2-of-2 shooting from the free throw line.

Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent each notched 14 points apiece, while new starting center logged 12 points and nine rebounds. Austin Reaves had an off night, scoring eight points on just 3-of-15 shooting.

A Preseason Position Battle

Through the preseason, Hayes has been battling fellow reserve big man Maxi Kleber for the right to be the first center off the bench behind newly-signed starter Deandre Ayton.

Kleber, a 35.4 percent 3-point shooter on the year, could help offer the Lakers offense a different look as a floor spacer than either Ayton or Hayes, but the 33-year-old vet has rarely been healthy in recent years, missing an average of 38.8 regular season games across the past four seasons. The 25-year-old Hayes has always been a bit of a raw athlete, but has long packed plenty of promise.

Hayes' future with Los Angeles appeared to be in some jeopardy when he hit free agency this summer.

LA head coach JJ Redick had demoted him from a starting role at the beginning of the team's first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves to being out of the club's rotation entirely by Game 5. So it came as something of a shock when the former No. 8 overall draft pick out of Texas agreed to a one-year, $3.4 million veteran's minimum deal with Los Angeles in free agency this summer.

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