Overview
- Ayton experienced tightness at shootaround and said he tweaked his middle back on an alley-oop in the first half.
- He logged 17 first-half minutes with nine points and did not play after halftime despite returning to the bench.
- Redick said Ayton was available late but chose caution as Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt handled center minutes effectively.
- Hayes started the second half and the Lakers closed out the NBA Cup victory over Memphis without Ayton.
- Ayton said he expects to be available Sunday against the Heat, though the team will monitor his status with the frontcourt already short-handed.