Dave McMenaminNov 23, 2025, 10:17 PM ET
- Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
- Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.
SALT LAKE CITY — Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton left Sunday night’s 108-106 win against the Utah Jazz midway through the second quarter because of a right knee contusion.
The injury occurred when Utah rookie Ace Bailey collided with Ayton’s knee in the first quarter.
“He had gotten hit on his leg in the first half and was kind of limping through it,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “And then couldn’t go in the second half.”
Ayton finished with 2 points on 1-for-2 shooting, 2 rebounds and a steal in 13 minutes.
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The former No. 1 pick has been a bright spot this season, averaging 16.5 points on 69.9% shooting and 8.8 rebounds coming into Sunday.
Ayton, who signed a two-year, $16.6 million contract in the offseason after reaching a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, has helped L.A. to a 12-4 start while its three stars — LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — have all missed time because of injuries.
Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes started the second half in Ayton’s place and seldom-used reserve Maxi Kleber also filled in at the 5 in the fourth quarter.
“I’m sure he’s just frustrated because he wasn’t able to continue,” Reaves said when asked about Ayton’s spirits after the game. “We obviously missed him. It was next-man mentality, and Maxi came in and changed the game.”
Kleber had 2 points, 3 rebounds and 1 blocked shot in 14 minutes, but his one bucket was a consequential one — throwing down a dunk with 1:21 remaining in the fourth to put L.A. up by six as the Lakers fended off the Jazz’s frantic comeback attempt.
Doncic led L.A. with 33 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals, but committed 6 turnovers. Reaves had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. And James, in his second game back after missing the first 14 because of sciatica, had 17 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds in 34 minutes.
After starting the game shooting 1-for-7, James finished 8-for-18 from the field.
“Obviously, Jaxson has been in a starting role for us before, so very easy for him to step in and into that role,” James said. “But Maxi gave us big-time minutes. Brought physicality, had a big-time move towards the end to get that dunk.”
The Lakers return to L.A. to host the Clippers on Tuesday and the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in their final two games of NBA Cup group play. The Lakers are 2-0 in their NBA Cup group play games.
“I mean, everybody’s got to be ready again,” Redick said. “I don’t want to speculate on DA, but we feel confident that we have enough options.”
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