The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face the Sacramento Kings on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena. Amid their three-game losing streak, the Lakers’ injury woes continued to grow with another big man possibly missing the Kings game.
According to the Lakers’ official injury report, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves and Jaxson Hayes could be joined on the sidelines by Drew Timme. Vincent has missed the last four games because of a back injury. ESPN has Vincent’s estimated return date on Jan. 2 against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Reaves, on the other hand, is expected to miss at least the next four weeks due to a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain, as reported by Dan Woike of The Athletic.
Hayes has been tagged doubtful due to left ankle soreness, which has caused him to miss the Lakers’ 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas because of the same issue. He’s likely getting downgraded to out before tipoff.
As for Timme, he has been diagnosed with a concussion, though he’s listed as questionable. There’s a chance he’ll get cleared and become available if he passes the NBA’s concussion protocol. The Gonzaga product should provide backup to Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber against the Kings.
JJ Redick Calls Out Lakers Amid Losing Streak
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick didn’t hold back after his team suffered an embarrassing loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas. Redick called out his squad for their lack of effort in his postgame press conference.
“We don’t care enough right now. And that’s the part that bothers you a lot. We don’t care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don’t care enough to be a professional,” Redick said, via CBS Sports’ Brent Brookhouse.
The second-year coach added that his players are going to have an “uncomfortable” practice and meeting on Saturday. However, he seemingly backed down and changed his tune when speaking to reporters after the team’s practice.
“We had a great meeting as a staff this morning. Came in super early and we met with the players, and it was very positive and it was also listening. It was also for our staff, myself, to listen to the players and what they need,” Redick said, via LeBron Wire on USA Today.
Lakers Sitting 5th in West
The Lakers’ loss to the Rockets was their third in a row and their sixth of their last 10 games. Their losing streak started with a 103-88 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on December 20. They were short-handed, with LeBron James as the only healthy starter for the game.
The purple and gold franchise’s woes continued on December 23 with another blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns. Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton returned to the lineup, but they weren’t enough to prevent the 132-108 defeat.
On Christmas, the Lakers had a complete starting five, but they didn’t last long. Reaves suffered an injury in the second quarter, as the Rockets continued to build their lead in the second half.
The Lakers have three more games at home after the Kings matchup on Sunday. They will also welcome the Detroit Pistons on December 30 and the Memphis Grizzlies twice in their first two games of 2026.
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