Hit by Deandre Ayton, the Lakers remain “safe” for their interior sector
And here, perhaps, is the problem of the Lakers staff again. Los Angeles thought it finally solved the problem this summer by taking advantage of the windfall Deandre Ayton. Released by Portland, the Bahamian was quite impressive in his debut in California. But he injured his knee against Utah on Sunday and was unable to return.
The Lakers announced the first diagnosis indicating a concussion after a collision with Jazz rookie Ace Bailey.
“He was hit in the leg in the first half and was limping a bit”explained JJ Redick after the meeting, without further detailing the state of his staff. The Lakers then had to adjust to withstand the shock, they finished the second quarter with five without a real interior, and then after the break they relied on the duo of Jackson Hayes – Maxi Kleber. “Obviously we missed him”Austin Reeves lamented. “It was about who was next in the rotation. Maxi came in and changed the matchup.”
Maxie Kleber, the X factor in Utah on Sunday
Joining the Lakers in the transfer of Luka Doncic last season, the German had played very little in Los Angeles until then: a few minutes during the 5th elimination game in the first round of the last playoffs against Wolves, then just four appearances since the start of the financial year 2025/26.
His stats are far from transcendent at first glance (2 points, 3 rebounds including 2 offensive, 1 block in 14 minutes). But his only basket, a dunk with 1 minute and 21 left, was instrumental in slowing the Jazz’s comeback.
“Maxi came back in the second half and changed the game with a physical shot”JJ Redick hailed. “He was important in several actions near the circle, he scored this decisive basket at the end of the match… He was really good.”
The German could see his role grow if Deandre Ayton has to spend time in the infirmary. JJ Redick will have little choice anyway, as the Lakers remain short at the point guard position. Alone Jackson Hayes etc Maki glue were trained in Salt Lake City on Sunday.
The former started the third quarter, as he already did in the second half of last season after the departure of Anthony Davis. The former Pelicans hasn’t been entirely convinced, to the point that his playing time has been dwindling during matchups (less than ten minutes in each of his four playoff starts).
Other tactical options and recruit
What should Angelino worry about? Not really, if the locker room is anything to go by. Jackson has already started for us so it will be very easy for him to take on this role.LeBron James assured. “But Maki gave us big minutes.” The return of LeBron James from injury should make the most of the pick-and-roll game with Deandre Ayton, the pivot expected by the franchise leaders.
“We were good in position”assessed JJ Redick about LeBron James’ passing work for his interiors. “We didn’t stress it at the end of the game because Maxi was on the court. Jackson or Deandre are very comfortable doing the dunk dance, but with Maxi we wanted to open the court more.”
In the absence of Deandre Ayton, Jackson Hayes could find the top five. His only start of the season, against the Heat on Nov. 2, remains his 2025-26 standard: 15 points on 7/7 shooting and 5 rebounds in 33 minutes, with the Lakers winning as a result. “Everyone must be ready”JJ Redick dunked. “I don’t want to speculate on Deandre’s condition, but we are confident that we have enough options.
Behind Hayes and Kleber, the Lakers may be tempted to call up their newest recruit, Drew Timmesignatory to the “two-way contract”. The interior remains on a great start to the season in the G-League with the South Bay Lakers (25.5 points and 8 rebounds average). He already showed interest at the end of last season with the Nets (12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds in 28.2 minutes). Christian Kolokohe was cut.
| Deandre Ayton | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | PHO | 71 | 30:45 | 58.5 | 0.0 | 74.6 | 3.1 | 7.1 | 10.3 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 16.3 |
| 2019-20 | PHO | 38 | 32:32 | 54.6 | 23.1 | 75.3 | 3.9 | 7.6 | 11.5 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 18.2 |
| 2020-21 | PHO | 69 | 30:39 | 62.6 | 20.0 | 76.9 | 3.3 | 7.2 | 10.5 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 14.4 |
| 2021-22 | PHO | 58 | 29:32 | 63.4 | 36.8 | 74.6 | 2.6 | 7.7 | 10.2 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 17.2 |
| 2022-23 | PHO | 67 | 30:22 | 58.9 | 29.2 | 76.0 | 2.6 | 7.4 | 10.0 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 18.0 |
| 2023-24 | BI | 55 | 32:26 | 57.0 | 10.0 | 82.3 | 3.2 | 7.9 | 11.1 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 16.7 |
| 2024-25 | BI | 40 | 30:09 | 56.6 | 18.8 | 66.7 | 3.1 | 7.1 | 10.2 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 14.4 |
| 2025-26 | LAL | 15 | 29:12 | 69.6 | 56.5 | 2.8 | 5.6 | 8.4 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 15.5 | |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2025-11-25 11:34:00
