Jaxson Hayes News, Rumors, Updates - Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes' leap from frustrating to foundational is rescuing the Lakers' season The defensive improvements from the Los Angeles Lakers center are unmissable.

11 HOURS AGO • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Headed to bench Hayes will come off the bench for Sunday's game against the Knicks, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

Impact Deandre Ayton (knee) is back and starting, so Hayes will return to a reserve role with the Lakers. In 45 games off the bench this season, Hayes has averaged 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Operates as starter Friday Hayes recorded nine points (3-6 FG, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal across 25 minutes during Friday's 128-117 victory over the Pacers.

Impact Hayes entered the starting lineup Friday with Deandre Ayton (knee) and Maxi Kleber (back) both sidelined, marking his eighth start of the campaign. While he didn't quite replicate the scoring punch from his season-high 19-point performance against Denver on Thursday, he remained efficient from the floor and perfect from the charity stripe. Hayes notably logged 25 minutes in the win, serving as the primary beneficiary of the Lakers' thinned frontcourt. He should continue to see expanded run for as long as Ayton remains on the shelf.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Starting Friday Hayes is in the starting lineup for Friday's matchup with the Pacers, Trevor Lane of LakersNation.com reports.

Impact Hayes will draw the start with Deandre Ayton (knee) unavailable, and he could be headed for major minutes with Maxi Kleber (back) also out for Friday's game. Through seven starts this season, Hayes has registered averages of 11.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jaxson Hayes may finally be ready for the Lakers promotion that felt inevitable The starting job is there for Hayes' taking in Los Angeles.

3 DAYS AGO • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Hits for season-high 19 off bench Hayes finished Thursday's 120-113 loss to Denver with 19 points (8-10 FG, 3-5 FT), five rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes off the bench.

Impact Deandre Ayton (knee) was able to play only four minutes, opening the door for Hayes to see his biggest workload since Feb. 12 and set a new season scoring high. Hayes hasn't scored more than eight points in any of his prior six games, but if Ayton winds up missing more time, he's likely to be the biggest beneficiary in the Lakers' frontcourt.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

JJ Redick is confident in Jaxson Hayes' ability to step in for the injured Deandre Ayton | Sporting News Deandre Ayton is dealing with left knee soreness, which could mean that Jaxson Hayes could play even more.

3 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Lakers have every reason to keep shrinking Deandre Ayton's minutes Jaxson Hayes keeps making Deandre Ayton less and less needed in Los Angeles.

4 DAYS AGO • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Good to go Thursday Hayes (ankle) is available for Thursday's game against the Suns, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Hayes didn't play in the Lakers' loss to the Magic on Tuesday due to a right ankle sprain, but he has been cleared to play in Thursday's contest and will serve as the top big man off the bench behind Deandre Ayton. Hayes has averaged 8.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists over 16.0 minutes per game since Feb. 1.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to play Thursday Hayes (ankle) is probable for Thursday's game against Phoenix, Trevor Lane of LakersNation.com reports.

Impact Hayes is on track to return from a one-game absence because of a right ankle sprain. The 25-year-old center is averaging 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 17.3 minutes per game this season. His return could mean fewer opportunities for Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Gillespie, Suns to host Doncic and the Lakers

Phoenix plays Los Angeles in a matchup of Western Conference teams

FEBRUARY 25 • Associated Press

Wendell Carter Jr. scores late winner in Magic's 110-109 victory over slumping Lakers

Wendell Carter Jr. made a go-ahead putback with 6.7 seconds to play, Paolo Banchero scored 36 points and the Orlando Magic finished a strong West Coast trip with a 110-109 victory...

FEBRUARY 25 • Associated Press

Won't play Tuesday Hayes won't play in Tuesday's game against the Magic with a sprained right ankle, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com.

Impact The Lakers deem Hayes day-to-day ahead of his next chance to play Thursday, when Los Angeles takes on the Suns. Maxi Kleber should handle the No. 2 center spot behind Deandre Ayton, but that role doesn't seem to offer him much fantasy upside.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged doubtful for Tuesday Hayes (ankle) is doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Magic, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact Coach JJ Redick said earlier in the day that the team is considering Hayes day-to-day, but it doesn't appear as though he'll be cleared to suit up for Tuesday's clash. Maxi Kleber would slot in as the backup center if Hayes is downgraded to out.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Considered day-to-day Hayes is being considered day-to-day after suffering a right ankle injury during Sunday's game against Boston, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Impact The Lakers have yet to release their injury report for Tuesday's matchup with the Magic, so it remains to be seen what injury tag he'll carry leading up to tipoff. Hayes suffered the injury during the first quarter of Sunday's clash and was unable to return.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Jaxson Hayes is forcing the Lakers to realize something they never wanted to The Los Angeles Lakers center is still the most reliable player at his position a year later.

FEBRUARY 23 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Los Angeles plays Orlando for out-of-conference contest

Los Angeles and Orlando meet in non-conference action

FEBRUARY 23 • Associated Press

Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard lead Celtics past Lakers 111-89 for a season sweep of this rivalry

Jaylen Brown had 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the Boston Celtics swept the season series in the NBA’s most storied rivalry with a 111-89 victory over the Los An...

FEBRUARY 23 • Associated Press

Won't return Sunday Hayes will not return to Sunday's game against the Celtics due to a right ankle injury, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

Impact Hayes exited the game in the first quarter and will not return due to a right ankle injury. Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber could see extra minutes off the bench with Hayes sidelined. His status for Tuesday's game against the Magic is now in question.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to bench Hayes will come off the bench for Friday's game against the Clippers, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

Impact Deandre Ayton (knee) is back and starting after a two-game layoff, so Hayes will return to a reserve role. As a member of the second unit this season, Hayes owns averages of 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Jaxson Hayes completes paperwork, eligible to play with Luka Doncic and Slovenia | Sporting News Doncic and Hayes can now compete together in international play.

FEBRUARY 19 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Good game, bad dunk contest. The highs and lows of an eventful NBA All-Star weekend

If you still didn’t like the NBA’s newest All-Star Game format, you probably just don’t like All-Star games

FEBRUARY 16 • Associated Press

NBA All-Star Dunk Contest live score, stats, highlights from 2026 All-Star Weekend event | Sporting News The Sporting News is tracking live updates from the 2026 NBA Dunk Contest, where Carter Bryant, Jaxson Hayes, Keshad Johnson and Jase Richar...

FEBRUARY 14 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Heat's Keshad Johnson soars to a slam dunk title, edging Carter Bryant who had a perfect score

Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat has won the NBA Slam Dunk contest after beating San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant in the final

FEBRUARY 14 • Associated Press

Looks good in Thursday's start Hayes had 16 points (8-10 FG), seven rebounds, four assists, one block and three steals in 34 minutes during Thursday's 124-104 victory over the Mavericks.

Impact Making his third start in the last four games while Deandre Ayton (knee) is on the mend, Hayes tied his season scoring high while setting new season highs in minutes and steals. The 25-year-old center is averaging 13.7 points, 5.0 boards, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 21.7 minutes over the last three contests, but his role is likely to shrink once Ayton is cleared to return.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

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