Los Angeles Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes is dealing with a light sprain in his right wrist but says he will be ready for the team’s regular season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, according to reports from Dan Woike of The Athletic. Hayes left Friday’s preseason game early after sustaining the injury but confirmed following Sunday’s practice that he feels prepared to play.
“I’m good, it was a light sprain in the wrist, but I’ll be good for Tuesday,” Hayes said. “I just fell and I tried to catch myself and messed up this little sprain. Being a dummy, I shouldn’t have tried to catch myself, I should’ve just fallen. It’s natural to do but it’s not a good thing to do. You’re most likely going to hurt your wrist nine times out of ten if you try to catch yourself falling.”
The injury occurred after Hayes caught a lob from Luka Doncic and was fouled on the play, resulting in an and-one. He missed the ensuing free throw and was ruled out following halftime of the Lakers’ 117-116 loss to the Sacramento Kings in their final preseason game. X-rays came back negative, and Hayes’ quick return to practice has reassured both himself and the coaching staff.
Support Local and Independent Sports Writing – Subscribe To the LAFB Network Today!
Returning as a Key Role Player
Gotta have the Latest from LA + LUKA Mind-meld
Hayes is set to serve as the Lakers’ primary backup to Deandre Ayton this season. Last year, he started a career-high 35 games, averaging 7.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, while shooting 72.9 percent from the field. Despite being benched during the playoffs in favor of a smaller lineup, Hayes opted to return to Los Angeles on a one-year deal, citing his discussions with coach JJ Redick as a deciding factor.
“Me and JJ had a bunch of talks, we talked it through, we got through that,” Hayes said. “Obviously, I’m gonna support him no matter what. It’s really just more of a chip on my shoulder than anything. He just told me he was sorry, and that’s what he wanted to do. I respected that.”
International Ambitions
Beyond the Lakers, Hayes is pursuing the opportunity to play international basketball alongside Doncic. He revealed he is working to obtain a Slovenian passport to make the move possible.
“We have the same agent, and my parents and his parents are all kind of working on it right now,” Hayes said. “But they came to me with the idea… I wanted to play on that stage, and I’m gonna do whatever it takes to get on that stage.”
With the wrist injury not expected to keep him sidelined, Lakers fans can look forward to Hayes being ready to contribute both as a reliable backup in the paint and a familiar pick-and-roll partner for Doncic in the season opener.