Deandre Ayton left the Los Angeles Lakers’ closely contested 108-106 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night due to a right knee contusion. The injury occurred in the first quarter when Utah rookie Ace Bailey ran into Ayton’s knee. This forced Ayton to exit the game early in the second quarter. Always supported by key offensive players, the Lakers’ center has played an unmissable role this season. His absence was keenly felt as the team folded under pressure for the rest of the game.
Ayton signed a two-year, $16.6 million contract with the Lakers after he and the Portland Trail Blazers agreed to a buyout over the summer. His presence has contributed to the team’s unexpected strong start in a big way. The Lakers are a very good team with a 12-4 record. Ayton is the third major contributor, averaging 16.5 points on ridiculous 69.9% shooting while collecting 8.8 rebounds a game. His play is the gold standard for protecting the Night Hawks. This is even more remarkable considering the injuries to star players such as LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
Ayton’s injury forced Coach Darvin Ham to change his lineup in the middle of the game, adjusting their starting lineup in the second half. Jaxson Hayes immediately stepped into the starting role left vacant by Ayton. His presence immediately altered the tenor of the team’s fight to hold off a furious Jazz comeback. Regardless of Ayton’s absence, the Lakers still pulled off the comeback victory indicative of a deep team ready to be resilient.
The collision between Ayton and Bailey cut through the spectacle and announced the game’s physical power. Fans and teammates alike immediately started to panic about just how serious the injury to Ayton was. As Ayton continued to be the anchor for the Lakers, holding down the paint and defending the rim, the team says they’ll be monitoring his condition closely over the next few days to determine his availability for future games.
Leave a Reply