Just three games into the NBA season, the Lakers have been decimated by injuries. Against Portland, Los Angeles had seven players out, including their two biggest stars, LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

This forced the team to play all three of their two-way players and the end-of-the-bench guys. The result was predictable, as the Lakers fell 122-108 to the Blazers.

After the loss, though, head coach JJ Redick gave Lakers fans a morsel of good news. He said that he was hopeful that Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes would be available for the team’s upcoming game against the Wolves.

Hayes has only played in one game this season. He’s been dealing with left knee soreness, which has forced him to miss the last two games.

Hayes’ return would add some much-needed center depth. In his absence, the

See Full Page