One reason the Los Angeles Lakers have a dismal 3-4 record to start the NBA season is they haven’t been at full strength. Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt have all been out lately with injuries. As a result, the Lakers have missed those players’ perimeter defense and scoring off the bench.
The injuries seem to be piling up for Los Angeles. In its Monday loss at the Miami Heat, Anthony Davis suffered hip spasms and had to leave in the third quarter. In addition, backup center Jaxson Hayes was unable to play due to a sprained ankle.
Davis felt confident he would be able to play Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. However, he will not take part in the contest.
Anthony Davis (left adductor spasms) will not play tonight in Houston, sources tell ESPN.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 9, 2023
Even worse, Hayes will also be unavailable, which means the Lakers will be seriously short-handed at the center position.
Jaxson Hayes has been downgraded to out for tonight’s game with an ankle injury.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 8, 2023
But the good news for them is Hachimura will be available. He missed four games after suffering an eye contusion and being in concussion protocol.
Hachimura has cleared protocols and is available tonight, per the Lakers. https://t.co/HPxTPVY802
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 8, 2023
This will be the third game of a four-game road trip for the Purple and Gold. That trip will conclude on Friday against the Phoenix Suns, and that contest will also be the Lakers’ first in-season tournament game of the year.