Hayes had eight points (4-4 FG, 0-1 FT), six rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 21 minutes during Sunday's 133-121 victory over the Pelicans.
Deandre Ayton (knee) was well on his way to an outstanding stat line before a knee injury forced him out, and Hayes continued the assault on New Orleans' withering interior in Ayton's place. Hayes' numbers off the bench have been nothing special, but Ayton's heavy load and superb play are the cause of the low numbers. Ayton's injury appears to be minor, but a start could be in store for Hayes if Ayton is sidelined.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Moves back to bench
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Hayes isn't part of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Mavericks, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
Hayes made a spot start Tuesday, but he'll return to the second unit for Friday's matchup against Dallas, with Deandre Ayton returning to action following a one-game absence. The center logged eight points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block over 30 minutes during the start.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Starting Tuesday
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Hayes is in the Lakers' starting lineup against the Clippers on Tuesday, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
Hayes will make his second start of the regular season Tuesday in the absence of Deandre Ayton (knee). In his first start Nov. 2 against the Heat, Hayes finished with 15 points (7-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block over 32 minutes. The seventh-year center will be a lob threat for the Lakers while sharing the floor with Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Scores eight in win
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Hayes posted eight points (3-3 FG, 2-3 FT), three rebounds and one steal in 15 minutes during Tuesday's 140-126 win over Utah.
Hayes has been a formidable backup to Deandre Ayton and has turned it up on offense recently, averaging 9.0 points on 85.7 percent from the field through 16.0 minutes. While his role among the second unit has been established, Hayes would be a solid addition should Ayton miss time, as he dropped 15 points and five rebounds in his lone start this season.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Will play Wednesday
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Hayes (ankle) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Hayes has been dealing with an ankle issue, but it won't keep him off the floor. In five games played this season, the veteran center is averaging 5.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, shooting 76.5 percent from the field.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Likely to play Wednesday
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Hayes (ankle) has been listed as probable to play in Wednesday's game against the Spurs, NBA reporter Jovan Buha reports.
Hayes is dealing with an ankle sprain but is trending in the right direction to be available. The veteran big man has embraced a bench role this season, averaging 5.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 19.0 minutes per game.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Headed to bench
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Hayes will return to the second unit for Monday's game in Portland, Harrison Faigen of SBNation.com reports.
Hayes earned a spot start Sunday with Deandre Ayton (back) unavailable, but Ayton will be returning for Monday's game, which means Hayes could be confined to minutes in the teens. He's not a great target in most leagues when operating in a reserve role.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Perfect from floor in spot start
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Hayes provided 15 points (7-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 32 minutes during Sunday's 130-120 win over Miami.
Making his first start of the season, Hayes delivered an impressive offensive performance, albeit with limited usage. The 25-year-old center will return to the bench as soon as Deandre Ayton's back spasms subside, but Hayes will be an intriguing fantasy option in the short term if he gets another starting opportunity or two.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Starting sans Ayton
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Hayes will start in Sunday's game against the Heat, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
With Deandre Ayton (back) sidelined, Hayes will get the starting nod for the first time this season. The big man has averaged 2.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 16.7 minutes per game across three regular-season appearances thus far.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Returns after three-game absence
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Hayes (knee) finished with two points (1-2 FG), three assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block in 13 minutes off the bench Wednesday in the Lakers' 116-115 win over the Timberwolves.
Back in action after missing the previous three games due to left knee patellar tendinopathy, Hayes slotted back into his usual role as the top backup to starting center Deandre Ayton. Aside from racking up four fouls, Hayes came through with a well-rounded line in his return, but he's unlikely to see his minutes rise much from this level while Ayton remains healthy and locked in atop the depth chart.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Available Wednesday
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Hayes (knee) is available for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
Hayes is set to end a three-game absence due to a knee issue. With Maxi Kleber out with an oblique strain, Hayes is in position to serve as the Lakers' top backup center behind Deandre Ayton going forward.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Ruled out Sunday
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Hayes (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Kings, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
Hayes entered Sunday listed as questionable but will ultimately sit out the first half of the back-to-back with left knee soreness. In his absence, Christian Koloko could see more run as a traditional center, while Jarred Vanderbilt may take on additional minutes in smaller lineups.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Questionable for Sunday
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Hayes (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Kings, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
Hayes is in danger of missing his second straight game due to left knee soreness. If the big man is ultimately ruled out, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Koloko are candidates for an uptick in playing time.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Won't play vs. Minnesota
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Hayes (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Timberwolves, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Hayes popped up on the injury report early Friday due to left knee soreness. Christian Koloko has been made active for this matchup due to Hayes' absence.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Downgraded to questionable
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Hayes has been downgraded to questionable for Friday's game against the Timberwolves due to left knee soreness, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports.
Hayes had four points (2-3 FG), six rebounds and one assist in 14 minutes during Tuesday's 119-109 loss to the Warriors, operating as Deandre Ayton's backup center. If Hayes is unable to suit up Friday, it's possible the Lakers utilize a smaller lineup with someone like Jarred Vanderbilt benefiting.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Sees 14 minutes in loss
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Hayes closed with four points (2-3 FG), six rebounds and one assist in 14 minutes during Tuesday's 119-109 loss to the Warriors.
Hayes operated as the direct backup to Deandre Ayton on Tuesday, with Jarred Vanderbilt logging 12 minutes at forward. Ayton had a decent showing in 34 minutes, and at least for now, it doesn't appear like Hayes is going to be a threat to Ayton.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Off injury report for Tuesday
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Hayes (wrist) is off the Lakers' injury report for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
Hayes exited Friday's preseason loss to the Kings due to a sprained right wrist but will return to game action in Los Angeles' regular-season opener. With Maxi Kleber (abdomen) in jeopardy of missing Opening Night, Hayes could see a slight uptick in minutes against Golden State. The 25-year-old center appeared in 56 regular-season games (35 starts) in 2024-25, during which he averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game. He's expected to compete with Kleber for playing time behind Deandre Ayton in the 2025-26 campaign.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Won't return Friday
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Hayes will not return to Friday's exhibition against the Kings due to a right wrist contusion, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
Hayes is dealing with a bruised wrist, but it would be surprising if this impacted his status for Opening Night on October 21 against the Warriors. More updates should surface leading up to Tuesday's tip, but if he's out, that would open up some minutes for Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Retreating to bench vs. Sacramento
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Hayes won't start in Friday's preseason game against the Kings, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
With Deandre Ayton (rest) returning to action, Hayes will come off the bench in the Lakers' preseason finale. The big man is likely to compete for minutes with Maxi Kleber behind Ayton in the regular season.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Turns in 12 points in starting role
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Hayes finished with 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a blocked shot across 25 minutes in Wednesday's 121-91 preseason loss to the Mavericks.
Deandre Ayton (rest) will begin the season as the Lakers' starting center, and Hayes will be locked in a battle with Jarred Vanderbilt for backup minutes. Based on recent history, Hayes should have the upper hand considering his usage last season, but Hayes' utility will be limited to the five. Vanderbilt has been used as a four in the past, so his profile offers a bit more flexibility.
