Lakers Beat Jazz in Utah but Deandre Ayton Injury Raises Concern

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a hard-fought win in Utah, but the focus after the game was less on the scoreboard and more on the status of center Deandre Ayton, who left at halftime and did not return. Ayton has been one of the bright spots of the season, and his absence immediately changed the flow of the matchup.

Ayton does not return after halftime

Ayton played normally in the first half, providing interior presence and physicality that helped Los Angeles control early stretches of the game. However, he did not come back from the locker room after halftime, and the team quickly announced he was unavailable for the remainder of the contest.

Head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Ayton took a hit to the leg in the first half and attempted to keep playing, though he was noticeably limping on several possessions.

“I don’t know what’s happening with him,” Redick said after the game. “He took a shot to his leg in the first half, tried to play through it, but couldn’t go in the second.”

Redick avoided giving any timetable or speculation, instead stating that the medical staff would evaluate Ayton before the team provides an update.

Hayes steps in, but Maxi Kleber changes the game

With Ayton unavailable, Jaxson Hayes opened the second half at center, bringing his usual combination of energy, rim runs, and basic paint protection across 18 minutes. He stabilized the rotation structurally, keeping a true big man on the floor.

However, the biggest impact came from Maxi Kleber, who did not play in the first half but logged all 14 of his minutes in the second. Kleber delivered a critical shot block in the third quarter, helped anchor the interior defense in key possessions, and knocked down a crucial basket late as Utah attempted a comeback.

It was the type of performance that doesn’t always show clearly on the stat sheet: smart defensive rotations, communication, disciplined switching, and simple but effective offensive decisions. On a night when the Lakers were forced to improvise without their starting center, Kleber provided exactly the stability the coaching staff needed.

Next man up if Ayton misses time

If medical tests confirm that Ayton will miss games, Kleber appears to be the primary next option in the frontcourt rotation. He could see steady minutes alongside Hayes or appear in smaller, more mobile lineups designed to improve defensive versatility.

Redick emphasized the need for readiness throughout the roster:

“Everyone has to be ready,” he said postgame. “I’m not going to speculate about Ayton. We feel confident we have options.”

The message was clear: the ideal scenario is a healthy Ayton, but the Lakers liked what they saw from the alternatives.

A difficult stretch ahead — and the NBA Cup on the line

The potential injury comes at a difficult time. The Lakers face the Clippers on Tuesday and the Mavericks on Friday, both games counting toward the NBA Cup, where Los Angeles remains undefeated and in strong position to advance.

Having Ayton available would be especially valuable given the physical matchups and playoff-style intensity expected in these contests. If he cannot play, the burden increases significantly for Hayes and Kleber, who showed they can hold the line in Utah but may now face their toughest stretch yet.