Few teams' fortunes rise and fall in the eyes of fans and NBA observers quite like those of the Lakers, who can sometimes appear on a collision course with the NBA Finals one day and ready for a first-round playoff flame-out the next. Depends on whom you listen to.
The Lakers were rolling with an eight-game winning streak a week ago but, after an ankle injury to LeBron James in a loss to the Celtics, the team has lost two straight, and looked disjointed on Monday in falling to Brooklyn.
James will not be back for at least a few more days, putting more pressure on newly acquired star Luka Doncic. But James's ankle is not the only bump and bruise that has the team worried.
The team announced that in addition to James missing Thursday's game in Milwaukee, center Jaxson Hayes is out, too. Hayes is dealing with a knee bruise.
Lakers' injury report vs. Milwaukee:
- Luka Doncic is questionable.
- Jaxson Hayes remains out.
- Dorian Finney-Smith is available. pic.twitter.com/u3n0tIUF1Q
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 12, 2025
Hayes did not play on Monday against the Nets, and in his place, the Lakers started veteran center Alex Len, with Trey Jemison coming off the bench. Those two combined for just two points and five rebounds in 31 minutes.
News that Hayes is out again has Lakers fans hopeful that coach JJ Redick won't plow forward with the Len-Jemison platoon at center. They want to see two-way player Christian Koloko, who is 7-feet tall and has a 7-foot-5 wingspan.
Koloko has not started, but has played 10-plus minutes 12 times this season. In all, he is averaging 2.2 points and 2.2 rebounds this season. Despite that limited resume, Koloko's raw size, length and athleticism might make him a good fit for Doncic, who is questionable himself on Thursday.
As the Lakers fan account, "The Lakers Chip," wrote on Twitter/X: "Luka and Christian Koloko can be a serious pick and roll threat but JJ Redick refuses to play him. Hes Averaging 15 pts / 8 rebounds / 3.1 blocks in the G league. @jj_redick what are you doing?"
That's not a solo opinion, either.
It's time to give Christian Koloko another shot in the Lakers rotation. He offers plenty of what neither Trey Jemison/Alen can, such as:
- Being a vertical lob threat for Luka Doncic
- A quick footed rim-runner
- Some switch-ability on defense
Should Koloko get another shot? pic.twitter.com/iOQbmKe008
— JSM (@JSMonYT) March 11, 2025
i'm supposed to believe christian koloko wouldn't give the lakers good minutes with luka doncic of all people pic.twitter.com/bjGG6KY8gT
— ً (@logoluka) March 11, 2025
No way Koloko doesn't play tmr right?
— ²³ (@SpeakContext) March 12, 2025
The fact that no one has even questioned JJ once over getting Koloko any consistent play is crazy. Let alone when your entire frontline is now Tre, the corpse of Alex Len and 53 year old Markieff.
Insane. https://t.co/HKRgrBl364
— Letting Go (@ProvideContext) March 13, 2025
There's still much to work out for Redick on the Lakers' health front. The game in Milwaukee will tip off at 7:30.
Related: Luka Doncic Trade to Lakers Will Cost Him a Fortune in Salary
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This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM.