After a rare four-day break, the 11-4 Los Angeles Lakers will return to work on Sunday when they visit the Utah Jazz. They defeated the Jazz 140-126 on Tuesday, and in that game, they reached full strength for the first time by welcoming LeBron James back from sciatica and getting guard Gabe Vincent back from a sprained ankle.
Center Deandre Ayton has played well of late. He had 20 points and 14 rebounds versus Utah, and it was his third straight game with at least 20 points and 10 boards. He has also made an incredible 29 of 37 shot attempts in his last three contests.
He had reportedly been dealing with an illness heading into Sunday’s game, but per Dave McMenamin, coach JJ Redick said Ayton will be able to play in Salt Lake City.
On the season, Ayton is averaging 16.5 points on 69.9% field-goal shooting, 8.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game. His ability to convert with regularity in the paint, especially off pick-and-roll sequences and on lob passes, has given the Lakers’ offense a sizable boost.
After Sunday’s contest, Los Angeles will return home for four straight games, including Emirates NBA Cup group play matchups against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday and the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick gives update on Deandre Ayton before Lakers versus Jazz game
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
