The Los Angeles Lakers were without several key rotation pieces in Saturday night’s loss to the Clippers, forcing them to navigate another game shorthanded. As injuries continue to stack up, the focus is shifting toward timelines and how quickly this group can get back to full strength.
In a chat with Dave McMenamin, head coach JJ Redick provided updates on Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, and Austin Reaves, all of whom were ruled out against the Los Angeles Clippers. Redick indicated that all three players are progressing, with optimism surrounding their respective recoveries. While none were cleared in time to play Saturday, Redick did not rule out a return for Reaves and Ayton as soon as the Suns on Tuesday.
Despite multiple absences, the Lakers have remained near the top of the Western Conference this season, leaning on depth and adaptability to stay afloat. At 19-7 entering the night, they have managed to weather injuries better than most, but the margin for error is shrinking as the schedule tightens and the competition stiffens.
Fortunately, the latest bout of setbacks is not expected to last long. For Austin Reaves, progress has been steady from a left calf strain, an injury the team has been careful not to rush given his importance to the offense. Before going down, Reaves was in the middle of a career season, averaging 27.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game on 50.3 percent shooting (36.9 percent from three) while serving as a secondary playmaker and late-game stabilizer alongside Luka Doncic. This has been a lingering issue, but he is expected back for Tuesday’s game against the Suns.
Deandre Ayton, meanwhile, is dealing with left elbow soreness, a minor setback that appears to be more precautionary than structural. The big man has been a steady presence this season, providing interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection with averages of 15.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game on 71.0 percent shooting. His physicality has been critical for a Lakers team that often leans on size to control the paint.
Rui Hachimura’s situation may be the most fluid of the three. He was a late scratch for Saturday’s game with groin soreness that Redick noted stemmed from discomfort first felt in the previous matchup against the Jazz. While the hope is that the pain only costs him a few days, his versatility as a scorer and defender makes his availability especially important as the Lakers prepare for a difficult stretch ahead. In 25 games so far, he is averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game on 53.5 percent shooting (45.6 percent from three).
In a season where players are constantly moving in and out of the lineup, it is remarkable that the Lakers currently hold the fourth-best record in the West. Thanks to brilliant play from stars like Luka Doncic and LeBron James, they have managed to stay afloat, and tonight’s matchup is another test against a stacked Clippers team desperate for a win.
With clarity finally forming around the Lakers’ injury situation, the coming days will be telling. If Reaves, Ayton, and Hachimura return on schedule, Los Angeles should regain the balance that has kept them near the top of the West. For now, patience remains the priority. Staying healthy, even more than the standings, will determine how far this group can realistically go once the season truly ramps up.
