Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (back) is off the injury report for Friday's game against the Nets after missing the team's previous contest with back soreness. He is expected to reclaim his starting role, which pushes Jaxson Hayes back to the bench and limits his streaming appeal. Ayton has averaged 10.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks across his last five games, offering modest value for rebounds and field goal percentage. He remains a viable frontcourt option in standard leagues, especially for managers needing help in rebounds.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (back) will miss Wednesday's matchup with the Indiana Pacers. He was a late addition to the injury report due to back soreness, and the Lakers have downgraded Ayton's status ahead of tip-off from questionable to out. Jaxson Hayes will move into the starting lineup. As a starter, Hayes has significantly improved his numbers, averaging 11.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is set to play on Sunday against the New York Knicks after the team removed him from the injury report. Ayton hurt his left knee in Thursday's loss to Denver and didn't play on Friday night against Indiana. But luckily for the Lakers, Ayton's absence will be limited to one game. With Ayton back in the lineup, Jaxson Hayes will return to the bench. Drew Timme's playing time also takes a hit, and it wouldn't be surprising if he didn't see any action in Sunday's contest. Having drawn criticism recently, Ayton might be motivated to make a statement against the Knicks, but he'll be up against a team that has limited centers to the fourth-fewest fantasy points this season.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Ayton won't play after exiting during the first half of Thursday's contest due to a left knee injury. The severity is unknown, but the Lakers are likely just being cautious in the second leg of this back-to-back set. His absence will mean increased roles for Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaxson Hayes on Friday. Hayes finished with 19 points and five rebounds across 27 minutes of action on Thursday. He figures to be a safe streaming choice with Ayton and LeBron James (elbow) both out on Friday.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is not listed on the injury report for Friday's game against the Clippers after missing two contests before the All-Star break. With the roster back to full strength, Ayton is expected to reclaim his starting role, pushing Jaxson Hayes to the bench. Over his last five games, Ayton has averaged 12.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 27.5 minutes, offering steady rebounding with modest usage behind Luka Doncic and LeBron James. He profiles as a mid-tier center hold, while Hayes loses short-term streaming appeal.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Dallas and is considered day to day after imaging showed no structural damage. He has now missed two straight contests. In his absence on Thursday, Jaxson Hayes started and delivered 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block in 34 minutes, making him the clear streaming option if Ayton remains sidelined. Jarred Vanderbilt can chip in rebounds and defensive stats, but he is a fringe add. Ayton remains a hold in all formats.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) will not suit up for Thursday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.He's set to miss his second straight contest due to right knee soreness. With Ayton sidelined, Jaxson Hayes is expected to draw another start, while Maxi Kleber should handle increased minutes off the bench. In his starts this campaign, Hayes has averaged 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Dallas has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers, making this a favorable matchup for the Lakers' frontcourt.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is questionable for Thursday's contest against the Dallas Mavericks. He could be out for the third time in four games due to a sore right knee. Ayton's absence would allow Jaxson Hayes to make another start, with Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme seeing additional minutes off the bench. As a starter, Hayes has managed 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this season. Dallas allows the fifth-most fantasy points in the league to centers, making this an attractive matchup for L.A.'s big men.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday night's action against the San Antonio Spurs, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. Ayton was initially listed as questionable for the game. The Lakers will be extremely shorthanded for this matchup, with Luka Doncic (hamstring), LeBron James (foot), Austin Reaves (calf), and Marcus Smart (ankle) also out. Jaxson Hayes is set to take over the starting center role from Ayton, making his sixth start of the campaign. Previously, Hayes has averaged 10.6 points and 4.2 rebounds as a member of the first unit.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is available for Monday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ayton missed Saturday's 105-99 win over Golden State due to a sore right knee. However, he has been cleared to play against the defending champions. With Ayton back in action, big men Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber's minutes could be significantly reduced during tonight's contest.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is listed as probable for Monday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ayton missed Saturday's win over Golden State due to a sore right knee and was labeled day-to-day by Lakers head coach JJ Redick. However, he appears on track to return against the defending champions. This is a rough spot for Ayton against Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Ayton managed only six points and five rebounds when these teams locked horns for the first time this season on Nov. 12. Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber will lose minutes with Ayton's return.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is considered day-to-day after being held out of Saturday's win, with the team monitoring right knee soreness. His status for Monday is still up in the air, leaving the frontcourt unsettled. Jaxson Hayes is the next man up if Ayton sits and should continue starting, though his fantasy appeal is limited to rebounds and blocks. Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber would also absorb minutes, but both remain fringe options. Managers can hold Ayton for now, but it's smart to have a short-term backup ready.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (eye) will play on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. The former first-overall pick left Tuesday's win over the Denver Nuggets early after being poked in the eye, but the Lakers didn't include him on the injury report for Thursday's game. Before Tuesday night, Ayton had produced three double-doubles in four games. He has a mediocre fantasy matchup on Thursday.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (eye) made an early exit against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports. The big man was poked in the eye late in the second quarter and sat out the rest of the game. Ayton finished with four points and eight rebounds in 15 minutes. Jaxson Hayes and Drew Timme filled the gap at center in the second half. "He got poked in the eye," Lakers head coach JJ Redick said postgame. "He looks like a pirate. His eye is not in good shape, but we're hopeful that it's just the bare minimum -- just a poke in the eye -- and he'll be back tomorrow." The Lakers return to action on Thursday night against the Clippers. Although Redick seemed optimistic about Ayton's availability for the Clippers game, it wouldn't be a shock if he appeared on the injury report.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is active ahead of Sunday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Ayton is back in the mix after sitting out the front end of the back-to-back set due to left knee soreness. He's back in the mix and expected to have a full workload for Sunday's slate. In January, Ayton is averaging nearly a double-double with 11.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in eight games. The big man is going to miss some games for rest purposes, but is a viable fantasy option when he's healthy. Fantasy managers should feel safe plugging Ayton into their lineups on Sunday.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) has landed on the injury report with a questionable designation ahead of Saturday's favorable fantasy matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Only five teams have allowed more fantasy points to centers than the Trail Blazers, but Ayton may have to sit this one out due to a sore left knee. Jaxson Hayes (hamstring) is also questionable for the game, meaning Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme could be the Lakers' lone natural options at center. The team may also turn to Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt to fill out some of the minutes at the five position.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (elbow) has come off the injury report ahead of Tuesday's clash against his former team, the Phoenix Suns. An elbow injury kept Ayton sidelined for two games, allowing Jaxson Hayes to work as a starter. Jarred Vanderbilt also had a larger workload in the frontcourt. He may still see additional action on Tuesday due to Rui Hachimura's (groin) absence. Ayton's last appearance was against the Suns, and he did a good job showing what they are missing. In 30 minutes, the 27-year-old big man had 20 points, 13 rebounds, one block, and two steals in a 116-114 win on Dec. 14.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (elbow) has been ruled out for a second consecutive game, missing Saturday's clash against the Los Angeles Clippers due to a sore left elbow. His absence will allow Jaxson Hayes to make another start. Filling in for Ayton on Thursday against the Utah Jazz, Hayes posted 16 points in 22 minutes with three rebounds. Maxi Kleber logged 19 minutes as the backup center, finishing with five points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block. The Lakers' frontcourt could also be without Rui Hachimura (groin) on Saturday, opening up even more minutes for the rest of the group.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (elbow) is listed as questionable for Thursday's favorable fantasy matchup against the Utah Jazz. Will Hardy's team allows the seventh-most fantasy points to centers this season, but Ayton might miss the opportunity to feast due to a sore left elbow. Jaxson Hayes would be his natural replacement in the starting lineup. Across two previous starts in 2025-26, Hayes has averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 31.1 minutes, making 10 of 11 field-goal attempts.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) exited Sunday's game and did not return after appearing uncomfortable during a brief stint, putting his availability for upcoming contests in question. Any missed time would bump Jaxson Hayes into a larger role, though he remains more of a fringe option outside deep formats. Hayes has averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 block across two spot starts while shooting 90.9 percent from the field in 31.1 minutes, making him a reasonable speculative stream if Ayton is sidelined.