Lakers Announce Deandre Ayton News Before Suns Game

It’s not only Ayton who has been on the shelf for the Lakers of late. Austin Reaves has missed the last three games due to a left calf strain, while Rui Hachimura was sidelined in Saturday’s 103-88 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers because of right groin soreness.

Luka Doncic has now also been added to the injury list after the five-time All-Star was forced to exit the Clippers game with a leg issue. Doncic has already been ruled out of Tuesday’s game in Phoenix.  

The good news for Ayton and the Lakers is that the former Arizona Wildcats star has recovered from his elbow injury. On Monday, the Lakers announced that Ayton is good to go and will be available for the Suns game. Ayton was not listed on the injury report, which indicates that he will suit up for the first time since Dec. 14.

It is also worth noting that Reaves has been upgraded to questionable for the Suns game. It's possible that the 6-foot-5 shooting guard misses his fourth straight contest on Tuesday, but he appears to be trending in the right direction in terms of his highly anticipated return to the court. Hachimura, on the other hand, will remain sidelined against Phoenix, along with Gabe Vincent.

The Lakers enter Tuesday's matchup with a 19-8 record and fourth in the Western Conference. The game in Phoenix will be the fourth and final contest in L.A.'s current four-game road stand. They will return home for a Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Rockets on Thursday.