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Lakers Rule Out Jaxson Hayes With Knee Soreness Before Timberwolves Game

The late scratch tightens Los Angeles' center rotation, elevating Deandre Ayton's workload with two-way Christian Koloko available.

Overview

  • Head coach JJ Redick told reporters around 8:30 p.m. ET that Hayes would miss the game due to left knee soreness.
  • Hayes was not initially on the injury report, was downgraded to questionable Friday morning, and was later ruled out.
  • Deandre Ayton is expected to handle heavy minutes at center against Minnesota's size.
  • Two-way center Christian Koloko is active and positioned to cover the backup frontcourt minutes.
  • The Lakers are also without LeBron James and backup big Maxi Kleber, further limiting frontcourt depth.