The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face a temporary challenge in their frontcourt depth, as center Jaxson Hayes has suffered a re-sprain of his right ankle and will be sidelined for the next two to three weeks.
This marks a significant adjustment for the Lakers’ rotation, as Hayes has been a steady presence off the bench, providing crucial support to star forward Anthony Davis.
In his role as the primary backup center, Hayes has consistently contributed on both ends of the floor. Playing 17.5 minutes per game this season, the 24-year-old has posted solid numbers, averaging 6.4 points per game with an impressive 72.2% shooting efficiency, while also pulling down 4.5 rebounds.
With Hayes unavailable, the Lakers will turn to Two-Way player Christian Koloko to fill the gap behind Davis.
Koloko, Cameroon-born Basketballer, has gradually worked his way into the lineup, appearing in 10 games so far this season. His minutes are expected to increase significantly in the coming weeks as the team navigates this period without Hayes.
His journey back to the court has been inspiring, as he missed the entirety of last season recovering from a blood clot issue.
Despite limited game time, Koloko has shown flashes of potential with his shot-blocking, rebounding, and defensive instincts, making him a promising option for the Lakers.
This stretch could prove critical for Koloko to demonstrate his readiness for a larger role, while the Lakers will need to adjust their rotations and lean more heavily on Anthony Davis and other bigs to maintain their frontcourt stability.
Jaxson Hayes Out 2-3 Weeks With Re-Sprained Right Ankle https://t.co/XQBbSeFKBC
— RealGM (@RealGM) November 30, 2024
