Lakers News: LA Big Man Set to Miss Time with Ankle Injury

Ricardo Sandoval | Nov 13, 2024

Nov 4, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) shoots the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and center Jaxson Hayes (11) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images / Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes is set to miss time due to a left ankle sprain.

Hayes will not play on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies and will be reevaluated in 1-2 weeks.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported via Twitter/X.

Jaxson Hayes suffered a left ankle sprain in practice Tuesday and will miss the Grizzlies game tonight, per the Lakers. He’ll be reevaluated in 1-2 weeks, per the team.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 13, 2024

Hayes has been solid for the Lakers to start the season and has served as the backup big man to Anthony Davis.

An MRI confirmed that Hayes is dealing with a sprained ankle he suffered at Tuesday's practice. This doesn't improve the Lakers' frontcourt, which was already shorthanded without Christian Wood.

The Lakers will be without Wood for at least another four weeks after he experienced soreness in his surgically repaired knee.  

This means that the Lakers will need to rely on Christian Koloko, whom L.A. signed on a two-way deal in September. The Lakers' frontcourt desperately needed help before this injury, and now it is as thin as it could be.

Hayes has been solid for the Lakers through the first 10 games of the season. He has averaged 6.3 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists and has shot 70.6 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free-throw line in 17.5 minutes of action.

Last week, the NBA reopened an investigation into Hayes regarding a 2021 incident involving Hayes after TMZ posted a video on Nov. 2 of an altercation between him and his then-girlfriend.

TMZ posted 5½ minutes of security camera footage from an incident showing Hayes -- then a member of the New Orleans Pelicans -- arguing with Sofia Jamora. The video shows Hayes appearing to pull Jamora out of a doorway while she can be heard saying, "Stop. Let go of me." Hayes can be heard replying, "What the f--- is wrong with you?"

Hayes said that he and the team were cooperating with the league and did not have any further comments. There has been no update on the investigation.

In the meantime, the Lakers will miss Hayes' energy and athleticism on both sides of the floor. After looking like he had no business with the team last year, head coach JJ Redick has done an excellent job incorporating Hayes into his system, and it's been good so far.

All eyes will be on Davis and Koloko, and it will begin on Wednesday night when they take on Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, former Laker Jay Huff, and the Memphis Grizzlies.

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