The Los Angeles Lakers have upgraded center Jaxson Hayes (ankle bruise) to available for their game against the Phoenix Suns. Additionally, forward Rui Hachimura (illness) has been ruled out of Thursday night’s contest.
Hayes returning is good news for the Lakers as their reserve unit has been one of their biggest issues this season, although Hachimura being out won’t help that.
Hayes missed the Lakers’ contest on Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic with that ankle issue and they will greatly benefit from the energy he brings off the bench. Hayes’ ability to attack the rim has provided great dividends and his chemistry with the Lakers’ playmakers, primarily Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, is obvious.
Hachimura has been the team’s most consistent 3-point shooter all season long and provides much-needed floor spacing, so they will need to find a way to make up for that.
Outside of Hachimura, JJ Redick has his complete roster available as the Lakers hit the road for the first time in nine games. After a disappointing 4-4 homestand, the Lakers have an opportunity to get things right against a Suns team that is shorthanded without All-Star guard Devin Booker and feisty wing Dillon Brooks, who has been an enemy of the Lakers for years now. Former Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin is also among the Phoenix players ruled out.
In addition to looking to turn things around after back-to-back losses, the Suns are also right behind the Lakers in the Western Conference standings and own a 2-1 record against L.A. this season. As such, a victory for these Lakers is needed not only to maintain some distance between themselves and a Play-In spot, but also to ensure the Suns don’t get the tiebreaker which could become very important at the end of the season.
This is a crucial stretch for the Lakers as they try to come together and reach their potential ahead of the postseason, and having their full roster available will allow for them to really build chemistry and hopefully, string some wins together.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton makes it known he doesn’t want to be in Clint Capela role
Another key to the Lakers success this season is big man Deandre Ayton, who recently made it clear that he does not like the idea of being fit into a rim-running role similar to that of Clint Capela.
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