76 articles

LAL • Center • #2
2 days ago
Ayton bounced back from a lackluster three-point performance on Tuesday to reach the 20-point mark on Thursday for the first time since March 12 against the Bulls. He hardly missed shots and did the majority of his damage in the paint. The former first-overall pick didn’t contribute in many other statistical categories, but his scoring production against the Warriors was important, as the Lakers gear up for the playoffs.

LAL • Center • #2
17 days ago
Ayton is back after sitting out Wednesday’s win over the Pacers. As a result, Jaxson Hayes will come off the bench, which limits his fantasy value.
Source: NBA Injury Report

LAL • Center • #2
18 days ago
Ayton was downgraded from questionable to out as the Lakers look to rebound from Monday’s loss, a game in which the former first-overall pick posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double. With Ayton now sidelined, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes could see more minutes than usual.
Source: Law Murray

LAL • Center • #2
18 days ago
Ayton is a late addition to the injury report due to back soreness. His most recent absence was also against the Pacers, with Jaxson Hayes filling in as the starting center, though he was unproductive. Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber should fill out the backup minutes if Hayes starts.
Source: NBA Injury Report

LAL • Center • #2
24 days ago
Ayton saw more opportunities and landed more production in Wednesday’s rematch against the Rockets than in the previous matchup. He impacted the game on offense as an efficient scorer and was also big on defense with a trio of blocked shots. The former first-overall pick isn’t be relied upon as much on the offensive end as in previous years. Yet, he seems to have adjusted to his role and is succeeding under head coach JJ Redick. This hasn’t done Ayton any favors from a fantasy basketball standpoint, however.

LAL • Center • #2
about 1 month ago
Ayton was one of several Lakers starters to produce big numbers against Chicago on Thursday. In the win, he finished third on the team in scoring and was one of two players to log double-digit rebounds before finishing with a second straight double-double. Ayton has had his least productive season as a pro to this point, but perhaps he is finding his way down the stretch of the season. He’ll have a chance to log a third consecutive double-double on Saturday against the Nuggets.

LAL • Center • #2
about 1 month ago
Ayton did most of his damage before halftime of Tuesday’s victory, putting up 12 points and 11 rebounds. While fantasy managers will have wanted to see more production from the 7-footer in the second half, this was still one of Ayton’s best performances since the All-Star break. His status as a starter makes Ayton a must-roster player, but it would be nice if he were to be a more consistent force in the middle for the Lakers.

LAL • Center • #2
about 1 month ago
Ayton has been removed from the injury report after sitting out Friday’s win over the Pacers with a knee injury. His return means that Jaxson Hayes will head to the bench, taking on a role in which he offers little fantasy value.
Source: NBA Injury Report

LAL • Center • #2
about 1 month ago
Ayton left Thursday’s game in the first half after playing five minutes and didn’t return due to a knee injury. He’ll miss Friday’s matchup against the Pacers with the same injury. With Ayton sidelined, Jaxson Hayes should start and handle the center minutes with Maxi Kleber (back) also ruled out.

LAL • Center • #2
about 1 month ago
Ayton played just five minutes in the first half before exiting with this knee injury. Jaxson Hayes started the second half in his place, though the Lakers may end up having to utilize smaller lineups with Maxi Kleber (back) unavailable.
Source: Dan Woike

LAL • Center • #2
about 1 month ago
Given how much was made about his comments last week when asked about his role, Ayton appears to be skating on thin ice with Lakers fans and fantasy managers. Sunday’s stat line wasn’t elite, but the 7-footer did not miss a shot from the field against the Kings. What truly stood out, however, was the playing time. Ayton played 18 minutes, while backups Jaxson Hayes (four points, five rebounds, one assist and one block) and Maxi Kleber (six points, six rebounds and one block) played 13 and 14 minutes, respectively. For those counting on Ayton for production during the fantasy playoff weeks, hopefully, he’ll turn things around.

LAL • Center • #2
about 2 months ago
Ayton was excellent during the first half, putting up 17 points and nine rebounds as the Lakers made a concerted effort to involve the 7-footer offensively. That didn’t happen as often during the second half, and while Ayton finished with a solid stat line, it could have been better. And that’s been an issue throughout the season, which has limited Ayton’s fantasy value. The Lakers end Week 18 with three games over the final four days, starting with the Suns on Thursday.

LAL • Center • #2
about 2 months ago
Ayton missed the Lakers’ final two games before the All-Star break with a sore right knee, opening up a spot in the starting lineup for Jaxson Hayes. Ayton’s expected return would bump Hayes to the bench, eliminating his minimal streaming value.
Source: Daniel Starkand

LAL • Center • #2
about 2 months ago
Ayton is set to miss his second consecutive game with right knee soreness. Jaxson Hayes got the start and had 13 points, four rebounds and three assists in 17 minutes against the Spurs on Tuesday. Hayes will likely start again with Drew Timme backing him up as the reserve center.

LAL • Center • #2
about 2 months ago
Ayton was one of the starters that missed Tuesday’s game against San Antonio, but he may end up missing another game. Jaxson Hayes would likely get another start if Ayton remains out, with Drew Timme filling out the backup minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report

LAL • Center • #2
2 months ago
Ayton is officially out for Tuesday’s game, adding his name to the Lakers’ lengthy list of absentees. Jaxson Hayes will move into the starting lineup, and he’s worth streaming in this spot.
Source: Law Murray

LAL • Center • #2
2 months ago
Ayton’s sore right knee has him back on the injury report for Tuesday, the second game in as many nights for the Lakers. If he’s unable to play, Jaxson Hayes would slide into the starting lineup. Given how shorthanded the Lakers are, Hayes is worth streaming if allowed to start.
Source: Daniel Starkand

LAL • Center • #2
2 months ago
The lone change to the lineup is Ayton, who returns after sitting out Saturday’s win over the Warriors. As a result of his return, Jaxson Hayes will come off the bench. Austin Reaves is still under a limit of 25 minutes, so Hachimura remains with the starters.
Source: NBA Lineups

LAL • Center • #2
2 months ago
Ayton came into the day with a probable tag, so his availability isn’t a surprise. He’ll return following a one-game absence which should send Jaxson Hayes back to the bench. Ayton will have his work cut out for him against a jumbo Thunder frontcourt featuring Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Source: NBA Injury Report

LAL • Center • #2
2 months ago
Ayton was held out of Saturday’s win over the Warriors, with the Lakers scratching him just before tipoff due to a sore right knee. If he can play against the Thunder, that will push Jaxson Hayes back to the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report

LAL • Center • #2
2 months ago
Ayton is a late scratch after he wasn’t even on the injury report. Nevertheless, he’s set to miss Saturday’s game with right knee soreness. Jaxson Hayes will start at center for the Lakers in his absence and could be worth using in deeper formats.

LAL • Center • #2
2 months ago
Ayton only attempted six shots on Sunday, but he made the most of his opportunities, knocking down all six of them. The production wasn’t on par with what he did in Friday’s win over the Wizards, but the Knicks are a far better team than Washington, so greater resistance was expected. Over the past two weeks, Ayton’s limited production outside of points and rebounds has weighed down his fantasy value. Even if he doesn’t score 28 points as he did on Saturday, doing more as a defender will help preserve Ayton’s value.

LAL • Center • #2
2 months ago
It has been a rough stretch for Ayton recently, but the Wizards didn’t have an answer for him in this game. This was Domin-Ayton at his finest. Across his five games prior to this game, he had scored a total of 33 points. He fell one point shy of matching his season high for scoring, though that hasn’t been typical for him. Ayton’s role has been inconsistent, which has contributed to his production following the same trend. He’ll look to stay hot in New York on Sunday.

LAL • Center • #2
2 months ago
The good news for Ayton and those who have him on their fantasy rosters is that he didn’t miss a shot. The bad news is that he wasn’t much of a factor otherwise, recording four rebounds and a blocked shot in addition to his 10 points. With LeBron James being 41, the Lakers need more from Ayton. And so do those who have him rostered.

LAL • Center • #2
3 months ago
The good news for fantasy managers is that Ayton reached double digits in rebounds for the fourth time in his last seven appearances. That should take some of the sting out of the poor shooting. Over his previous two games, Ayton has shot 6-of-21 from the field, so it may be fair to question whether the left eye injury suffered in Denver on Tuesday is still an issue. As long as Ayton can provide increased production as a rebounder, the shooting should not be too much of a problem.

LAL • Center • #2
3 months ago
Ayton did not return for the second half of Tuesday’s win over the Nuggets after getting poked in his left eye, resulting in more minutes for Jaxson Hayes. With Ayton absent from the injury report for Thursday, the Lakers will be able to count on their usual rotation at the center position.
Source: NBA Injury Report

LAL • Center • #2
3 months ago
Ayton was poked in his left eye during the latter stages of the second quarter and was not on the floor to begin the third. He’s since been ruled out for the rest of the night. Jaxson Hayes has handled most of the minutes at the center position in the second half, with Drew Timme serving as the backup.
Source: Jovan Buha

LAL • Center • #2
3 months ago
Held out of Saturday’s loss to the Trail Blazers with a knee injury, Ayton had one of his best games of the season on Sunday. He didn’t miss a shot from the field, with the only misfire coming at the foul line, and Ayton was active as a rebounder and defender. He’s recorded three double-doubles in his last four outings, grabbing at least 13 boards in each. An engaged Ayton makes the Lakers a better basketball team and satisfies fantasy managers, too. The Lakers hit the road for an eight-game trip, with three games during Week 14.

LAL • Center • #2
3 months ago
The Lakers have Dončić and Ayton back in the fold after both missed Saturday’s loss to the Trail Blazers. As a result of those returns, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber will be relegated to the bench. In Kleber’s case, he may fall out of the rotation entirely.
Source: Los Angeles Lakers

LAL • Center • #2
3 months ago
While Ayton has missed only one game due to injury, Hayes has missed the last three. With both available for Sunday’s game, Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme will likely fall out of the rotation entirely. Ayton should be rostered in standard leagues already, but there isn’t much to gain from rostering Hayes.
Source: Daniel Starkand