Lakers Center Jaxson Hayes May Be on the Mend After Spraining His Ankle

Injury Update:

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been sidelined since spraining his ankle in a game against the Phoenix Suns on February 16th. The injury occurred when Hayes landed awkwardly on his right foot after attempting to block a shot, resulting in an inversion sprain.

Recovery Timeline:

According to Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, Hayes is making progress in his recovery but remains day-to-day. Ham stated that Hayes has been participating in light workouts and is expected to be re-evaluated in the coming days.

Return to Play:

The Lakers are hopeful that Hayes will be able to return to the lineup before the end of the season, which concludes on April 9th. However, the team is not rushing Hayes' recovery and will prioritize his long-term health and well-being.

Impact on the Lakers:

Hayes' absence has been a blow to the Lakers, who have struggled to find consistent production in the frontcourt. In the six games Hayes has missed, the Lakers have gone 2-4 and have been outscored by an average of 5.3 points per game.

Hayes' Role:

When healthy, Hayes has been a valuable contributor for the Lakers, averaging 6.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game off the bench. He provides the team with a physical presence in the paint and is known for his energy and hustle.

Conclusion:

The Lakers are cautiously optimistic that Jaxson Hayes will be able to return to the lineup before the end of the season. His recovery is progressing well, but the team is prioritizing his long-term health and will not rush his return. Hayes' return would provide a much-needed boost to the Lakers' frontcourt and could help them make a push for a playoff berth.