Concerning Injury Update for Lakers' DeAndre Ayton

The Los Angeles Lakers entered Tuesday night’s 115-107 win over the Denver Nuggets with something they have rarely enjoyed this season, a clean injury report. Outside of long-term absentees Austin Reaves, who is expected to return soon, and rookie Adou Thiero, the Lakers had their full roster available. That relief, however, may be short-lived. Starting center DeAndre Ayton was ruled out for the second-half after suffering a left eye injury, a setback that could cost him additional time. Lakers Monitor Ayton After Mid-Game Exit Ayton was struck late in the first half and didn’t return after halftime, with the team announcing he had been ruled out for the remainder of the contest. He finished with four points and eight rebounds on 2-of-5 shooting. Following the game, head coach JJ Redick offered a brief but telling update on Ayton’s condition. “He got poked in the eye, he looks like a pirate,” Redick said. “His eye, it’s not in good shape. We’re hopeful that it’s, at the bare minimum, just a poke in the eye and he’ll be fine tomorrow.” The injury comes after Ayton had already missed time recently, sitting out Saturday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in a game where the Lakers were without both their starting center and backup Jaxson Hayes. If Ayton is forced to miss additional games, the Lakers may be better equipped to handle the absence than they were earlier in the season. Hayes could slide into the starting role, while the recent emergence of two-way signee Drew Timme has given Los Angeles another capable option in the frontcourt rotation. Ayton Injury Halts Momentum After Breakout Performance The timing is particularly unfortunate given Ayton’s recent form. He was coming off his best performance of the season, posting 25 points and 13 rebounds on a perfect 10-for-10 shooting night in a win over the Toronto Raptors. He became just the 34th player in NBA history to make at least 10 shots on perfect shooting while also grabbing at least 10 rebounds, joining only Wilt Chamberlain in 1969 and Mitch Kupchak in 1981 in Lakers history to do it. Since signing a two-year, $16.2 million deal in the offseason, Ayton’s season has been uneven, reflecting the broader inconsistency that has defined his career since being selected first overall back in 2018. Through 37 games, he’s averaging 13.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game while shooting a career-high 68.5% from the field. Even with that efficiency, another disruption to the rotation would be unwelcome. The win over Denver marked the start of a gruelling eight-game road trip, as the Lakers look to stabilise after losing nine of their past 16 games, with a surging Los Angeles Clippers team up next on Thursday. Tuesday’s victory improved Los Angeles’ record to 26-16 and lifted them to fifth in the Western Conference. They sit three games behind the San Antonio Spurs in second, while also just level with the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves in the crowded race around the play-in line. For now, the Lakers will wait on Ayton’s status, hoping a rare stretch of health does not immediately slip away.