Lakers Struggling As They Face Major Adversity Due To Injuries, Jaxson Hayes Returns To Action While Veteran Guard Downgraded

While the NBA is just a week into its 2025-26 season, the Los Angeles Lakers are facing significant adversity, sitting at .500 and having yet to field a full squad.

Los Angeles fell to 2-2 on the season after dropping a 122-108 decision to Portland on Monday night as the Lakers were down to 11 healthy players. Playing the second half of a back-to-back, Austin Reaves tossed in 41 last night on 13 of 22 shooting, including 3 of 8 from deep, to lead the way for the Lakers. Reaves has scored 92 points over the last two contests, including a career-high 51 against Sacramento on Sunday, and averages 35.8 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds through the first four games.

Lakers Struggling As They Face Major Adversity. When Will The Lakers’ Plethora Of Injured Players Return?

DeAndre Ayton, Jared Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura were productive offensively but struggled on the glass against the Blazers. The Lakers were outrebounded by seven (49-42) as they gave up 19 offensive boards, which the Blazers turned into 35 second-chance points.

Despite being without LeBron James all season and Doncic for the last two contests, the Lakers have been pretty good offensively. Doncic carried the team through the first two games, while Reeves has picked up the slack in the previous two contests. Overall, the Lakers are 11th in the league in offensive efficiency.  They have been shooting the ball particularly well, but turnovers and rebounding have been issues.

Los Angeles’ missed player games are already at 25 through five games. Besides James and Doncic’s absences, Maxi Kleber and Adou Thiero have also not played this season, and Jaxon Hayes has missed three contests due to injury. Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent sat out Sunday’s loss.

Defensively, L.A. has been average, ranking 18th in efficiency. The Lakers have mainly struggled to run opponents off the 3-point line and defend perimeter shooters in general. The Lakers are allowing opponents to drain 15.5 threes a game at a 37.8% clip. However, they do force turnovers and keep their opponents off the line.

When Will Players Return?

Los Angeles is in Minnesota tonight for a 9:30 p.m. (ET) tip. It is a rematch of October 25th’s contest, when the Lakers dispatched the Timberwolves 125-110, shooting nearly 60% from the field and 42.5% from the 3-point line. Doncic had 42 points to lead the way while Reaves and Hachimura combined for 48 points.

Seven players are listed on the Lakers’ injury report for tonight. Hayes, who hasn’t played since the NBA’s Opening Night due to left Patellar Tendinopathy, has been upgraded from questionable to active earlier this evening. He will serve as Ayton’s primary backup. The 7-footer scored four points and grabbed six rebounds in 14 minutes against Golden State.

Meanwhile, Smart was downgraded from questionable to out, according to Khobi Price of SoCal News Group. Smart will miss his second straight contest with a quad injury. Smart is considered day-to-day, with Friday being a likely return for him.

With Vincent (ankle) also missing his second straight contest, Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr., and Knecht will likely see extended time. Vincent is slated to miss multiple weeks.

When Will Other Players Are Expected To Return

Luka Doncic (finger/leg):  Dealing with a left finger sprain and a lower leg contusion. Doncic could return shortly as he is expected to be reevaluated on Friday. If he is cleared on Friday, he could play against Memphis, though Sunday versus Miami is the more likely target. Jake LaRavia, who started against Portland, will continue to see an increase in playing time with Doncic.

Maxi Kleber (Abdominal Muscle; Strain): He is expected to be reevaluated on November 4. Even if the 33-year-old forward is cleared, he will likely need a little time to amp up. He participated in one preseason contest.

LeBron James (Right Sciatica): James is still expected to be sidelined for two more weeks, putting his return around mid-November. Therefore, James will likely miss 13 or 14 games.

Adou Thiero (LeftKnee; Surgery Recovery): He is expected to be reevaluated in a week. However, Thiero will likely head to the G League with South Bay once he is officially cleared.