This week will be pivotal for the Los Angeles Lakers’ hopes of winning their second Emirates NBA Cup in three years. They currently lead West Group B with a 2-0 record and a plus-19 point differential, and their final two group play games will take place this Tuesday versus the Los Angeles Clippers and on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.
Overall, the Lakers are 12-4 and are in second place in the Western Conference, having won four games in a row. But during their 108-106 win on Sunday over the Utah Jazz, they suffered a blow when starting center Deandre Ayton was unable to play in the second half due to a right knee contusion.
As a result, he has been ruled out for Tuesday’s contest.
Ayton had been on a bit of a roll going into Sunday. He had reached at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in each of his previous three games, and he had gotten into a comfort zone offensively by feasting on easy looks near the rim during pick-and-roll sequences and on lob passes.
As long as he’s out, Los Angeles will be thin at center. Expect veteran big man Maxi Kleber, who recently returned from an oblique strain, to get some significant playing time. While his stats have seemed meager, head coach JJ Redick has praised him for making an impact with his physicality and overall effort.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Injury report for Deandre Ayton, Lakers ahead of Clippers NBA Cup game
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
