Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton sustained a right knee contusion during a win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday in Salt Lake City. Photo by Caroline Brehman/EPA
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton sustained a knee contusion in the first half of a win over the Utah Jazz and was unable to return.
Ayton sustained the right knee injury in the first quarter and departed midway through the second frame of the 108-106 win Sunday in Salt Lake City. He totaled two points and three rebounds.
“He had gotten hit on his leg in the first half and was kind of limping through it,” Lakers coach J.J. Redick told reporters. “And then couldn’t go in the second half.”
Redick said he didn’t want to speculate on the severity of Ayton’s injury, but he is confident that the Lakers “have enough options.”
Backup center Jaxson Hayes, who started the second half against the Jazz, totaled five points and four rebounds in 18:10 of action. Luka Doncic logged 33 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in the victory. Fellow Lakers guard Austin Reaves totaled 22 points and 10 rebounds.
LeBron James chipped in 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Backup center Maxi Kleber totaled two points and three rebounds while helping to fill in for Ayton.
The Lakers (12-4) will battle the Los Angeles Chippers (5-12) in an NBA Cup group stage matchup at 11 p.m. EST Tuesday in Los Angeles.
