Jaxson Hayes Avoids Major Injury, Targets Season Opener vs. Warriors

UPDATE: In a dramatic turn of events, Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has avoided serious injury after a hard fall during Friday’s preseason finale, confirming he suffered only a light sprain to his right wrist. This promising news comes just in time as the Lakers prepare for their highly anticipated regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors on October 24, 2023.

Hayes, who missed the second half of Friday’s game due to a right wrist contusion, underwent X-rays post-game that returned negative, followed by an MRI that confirmed his status. He expressed confidence in his recovery, stating, “I expect to be ready for Tuesday’s game.”

The incident occurred when Hayes attempted to jam a two-handed dunk after catching a lob from star guard Luka Doncic. He was bumped mid-air, leading to a hard fall that raised immediate concerns about his health. “Being a dummy,” Hayes reflected after practice, acknowledging that he should have let himself fall instead of trying to catch himself.

During the preseason loss to the Sacramento Kings, Hayes managed to score six points, all from impressive dunks, showcasing his potential as a rim-running center. The Lakers are still adjusting to Doncic’s unique passing style since his mid-season trade last year, which has proven to be a learning curve for new teammates including center Deandre Ayton.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick noted the team’s performance, stating they dished out an impressive 28 assists against only 10 turnovers in their last game. However, he acknowledged missed opportunities, estimating that at least seven assist chances were lost due to miscommunication and misfired passes.

“It’s a learning period,” Hayes commented on the chemistry between him and Doncic. “You just learn how they like their screens, how they want you to roll to the hoop, and where they prefer to pass.” Their developing rapport is crucial for the upcoming season.

Adding an intriguing twist to Hayes’ journey, he is now being considered for the Slovenian national team and is working on obtaining a Slovenian passport. This comes after watching Slovenia’s impressive performance in the recent EuroBasket, where they reached the quarterfinals. Hayes noted that the process has been supported by Doncic and their shared agent, Bill Duffy.

“I had hopes of playing for the USA, but USA Basketball doesn’t have open tryouts,” Hayes said. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to play on that stage.”

In roster news, the Lakers made significant cuts on Saturday, trimming their lineup to 14 standard contract players by waiving RJ Davis, Augustas Marciulionis, Anton Watson, and Nate Williams. They retained center Christian Koloko and guards Chris Manon and Nick Smith Jr. on two-way contracts.

Manon, who was nursing an ankle injury during training camp, participated fully in practice on Sunday, while Bronny James (ankle) and rookie Adou Thiero (knee) engaged in modified workouts, highlighting the Lakers’ commitment to readiness for the season ahead.

As the Lakers gear up for their season opener, all eyes will be on Hayes and Doncic as they aim to solidify their chemistry on the court. Fans are eager for what promises to be an exhilarating start to the season.