The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a tough 122-108 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, a game in which they were missing five key rotation players due to injury. Despite the setback, the Lakers are set to embark on a brief two-game road trip this week, and there is cautious optimism about the return of some important players.
Head coach JJ Redick expressed hope that reinforcements would be on the way, and sure enough, both Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes were recently upgraded on the team injury report. Both players are officially listed as questionable for the Lakers’ upcoming game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. A final status update for each will likely be made just before tip-off.
Marcus Smart suffered a quad injury during the Lakers’ win against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, while Jaxson Hayes has been dealing with a knee injury that dates back to sometime after the team’s season opener. In the three games Smart has played since making his Lakers debut, he has averaged 7.7 points, 1.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals, shooting 43.8 percent from the field. Hayes has appeared in just one game so far, finishing with four points, six rebounds, and one assist, while shooting 66.7 percent from the field.
Getting Smart back would provide the Lakers with an additional ball-handler, helping to ease some of the playmaking burden carried by Austin Reaves. Meanwhile, Hayes offers valuable depth as a key backup behind Deandre Ayton.
In the loss against the Blazers, the Lakers’ lack of depth was evident, hampering their ability to keep up. But despite the short-handed defeat, Redick found positives to build on.
“I took a lot away,” Redick said. “Again, our half-court defense was excellent, first-shot defense was excellent. For the most part, just a highly competitive spirit and connected group. You can build on that.”
The Lakers will begin their mini road trip with Wednesday’s matchup against the Timberwolves before concluding against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. Fans will be watching closely to see if Smart and Hayes can return to help bolster the team’s chances on the road.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-marcus-smart-jaxson-hayes-upgraded-la-injury-report