Lakers center Deandre Ayton had to leave Sunday’s game in Utah midway through the second quarter due to a right knee contusion, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Ayton continued playing after an early collision with Ace Bailey, but the pain eventually became too intense.
“He had gotten hit on his leg in the first half and was kind of limping through it,” coach JJ Redick said. “And then couldn’t go in the second half.”
Ayton has been a bargain so far on the two-year, $16.6MM contract he signed during the summer after reaching a buyout agreement with Portland. He was averaging 16.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game coming into Sunday’s contest while shooting 69.6% from the field.
With Ayton sidelined, Jaxson Hayes started the second half and Maxi Kleber logged 14 minutes. Kleber was part of the closing lineup and had a dunk with 1:21 remaining to help L.A. hold on for a two-point victory.
“Obviously, Jaxson has been in a starting role for us before, so very easy for him to step in and into that role,” LeBron James said. “But Maxi gave us big-time minutes. Brought physicality, had a big-time move towards the end to get that dunk.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- James, who finished with 17 points, six rebounds and eight assists in 34 minutes in his second game since returning from sciatica, talked about the process of getting back into playing shape (Twitter video link from Khobi Price of The Orange County Register). “The only way to get back in basketball shape is to be playing the basketball game,” James said. “My wind will get better and better. But this week was kind of like my training camp for me, to be honest. So I’m still working my way back.”
- James also offered a message to his longtime friend, Clippers guard Chris Paul, who will retire at the end of the season (video link from McMenamin). “Hope he can just get joy out of this final year,” James said. “… I hope he takes it all in. This is his last hoorah, so we’ll never get this moment again once you’re done to be able to go out and be in the arena.”
- The Lakers are off to a 12-4 start despite ranking 26th in the league in three-point shooting percentage, notes Dan Woike of The Athletic. The month-long slump continued Sunday as they were 10-of-38 (26.3%) from long distance. Austin Reaves, who missed seven of his eight three-point attempts at Utah, said the team is finding other ways to win. “I think it’s just chemistry. Care factor’s high,” he said. “You wanna go out there and do whatever you can do to help one another succeed. And I think that that goes a long way. There’s no selfishness; everybody wants to see everybody succeed.”
Luka always played with a lot of joy, and his teammates loved him in Dallas. The same is true in LA, and maybe it’s in a whole other level now.
But the real glue may be Reaves. He seems to be everyone’s best friend on the team. The chemistry of the team is amazing.
The Lakers have the second best record in the West despite: 1) everyone besides Rui shooting dramatically below their level from 3 at 26%, 2) Bron missing 14 games, Luka 4, and Austin, 3) several key rotation players being new this year (Ayton, LaRavia and Smart, and this is Luka’s first training camp with the Lakers.
Thunder have had the easiest start of sky team. They have played only 4 teams with winning records, while the Lakers have played 10 and Nuggets 9. The Lakers, if healthy, are legit contenders.
Lakers look worse with LeBron. They played Utah and I was at 1 game and watched the other. Had Utah had a bench they lose both games. When the playoffs roll around it will be a first or 2nd round exit. That’s not hating it’s facts. Lebron is not a star anymore. I don’t want to hear the numbers game I watched the game. Beat of the dribble he had 8 points yesterday from not running back and Utah blowing 5 on 3 or 4on 2.
Utah is youg and has some good pieces but LeBron is throwing AR off rythem. I still think Luka is a top 5 player in the NBA so he is always going to show up. However I want to see AR produce in the playoffs.
You are super Laker fan so I don’t expect any analyze back because all you care about is record in November when I am looking at the game.
I do believe next year with that 50 million in cap they will be able to compete for a championship.
Also the whole they played X amount of teams with winning records ( your not the only person who throws this out there) is a stupid conversation. It’s November we don’t know who the playoff teams are . Every years teams start off hot or slow and it changes. Let’s have this conversation mid January.
So teams like Philly are letting there young guys play reserving their stars and vets that are in your for January, February basketball. Again Lakers are playing well but I don’t see them beating Denver or OKC. And if Huston gets a point guard at any point this season they will be a top 3 team.
Also can’t rule out Dallas. If AD comes back and they get there full team they are a playoff team. Not sure if that happens. San Antonio will also make adjustments and trades to help the team out. Long season