JJ Redick
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Lakers head coach JJ Redick during a game against the Charlotte Hornets in January 2026
The Los Angeles Lakers have rarely enjoyed a clean bill of health this season, but that was largely the case ahead of Tuesday night’s 115-107 road win over the Denver Nuggets.
Outside of long-term absentees Austin Reaves and rookie Adou Thiero, the Lakers entered the matchup with their full roster available.
That optimism was briefly tempered when starting center DeAndre Ayton was ruled out for the second half after suffering a left eye injury, raising concerns that Los Angeles could once again be short-handed ahead of Thursday’s matchup against cross-city rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers.
Lakers Receive Positive Update on DeAndre Ayton
Ayton has since been cleared and is available to play against the Clippers, indicating the injury was minor.
With Reaves and Thiero still sidelined, the rest of the Lakers’ injury report is once again clean, leaving the team close to full strength as it looks to secure a third straight win against the Clippers.
Ayton was struck late in the first half against Denver and did not return after halftime. He finished the game with four points and eight rebounds on 2-of-5 shooting before being ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
Speaking after the game, head coach JJ Redick offered a light-hearted but cautious update.
“He got poked in the eye, he looks like a pirate,” Redick said. “His eye, it’s not in good shape. We’re hopeful that it’s, at the bare minimum, just a poke in the eye and he’ll be fine tomorrow.”
The 27-year-old later leaned into the comparison, sharing a photo of himself wearing an eye patch on social media.
While the injury looked concerning in the moment, his clearance suggests it’s not expected to sideline him, though protective eyewear remains a possibility.
Ayton’s Availability Key as Road Trip Continues
The eye issue followed a brief absence for Ayton, who sat out Saturday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. That game left the Lakers without both Ayton and backup center Jaxson Hayes, exposing the team’s thin frontcourt depth.
Since then, the emergence of two-way signee Drew Timme has provided some insurance in the paint, easing concerns should either Ayton or Hayes miss additional time as the season progresses.
Ayton’s first season in Los Angeles has been uneven, mirroring the broader inconsistency that has followed him since being selected first overall in 2018. Still, his impact has been tangible when available.
Through 37 games, the seven-foot center is averaging 13.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game while shooting a career-high 68.5% from the field, offering efficiency and size in the middle when the Lakers have needed it most.
The Lakers sit fifth in the Western Conference at 26-16. While they are just three games back of the San Antonio Spurs in second, they are also tightly packed with the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves behind them, with play-in territory still looming.
With Los Angeles at the start of a gruelling eight-game road trip and with nine losses in its past 16 games, maintaining a clean bill of health could prove crucial as the Lakers attempt to build momentum after a strong win in Denver and steer their season back in the right direction.