The Los Angeles Lakers received a timely piece of good news as they navigate growing injury concerns surrounding franchise star Luka Dončić.
Starting center Deandre Ayton is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday night against his former team, the Phoenix Suns, Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed following Monday’s practice.
“DA was a full participant, and I think he’s off the injury list,” Redick told reporters.
Ayton missed the Lakers’ previous two games due to elbow soreness, an injury he sustained during a Dec. 14 win against Phoenix — a twist of irony not lost on the Lakers’ coaching staff.
Deandre Ayton’s Return Stabilizes Lakers’ Frontcourt
Ayton’s absence forced the Lakers to rely more heavily on Jaxson Hayes, who performed admirably in limited duty. Hayes averaged 12.0 points while shooting an eye-popping 90 percent from the field over the two-game stretch, but the Lakers clearly missed Ayton’s size, rim protection, and interior scoring presence.
Since arriving in Los Angeles, Ayton has quietly revived his career after an uneven final season in Portland. The former No. 1 overall pick is averaging 15.9 points on 71.0 percent shooting, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 29.4 minutes per game — production that has solidified him as a foundational piece in the Lakers’ starting five.
Ayton signed a two-year, $16.6 million contract with Los Angeles after reaching a buyout with the Trail Blazers, with the second year structured as a player option. That contract structure makes him a potential flight risk this offseason if his strong play continues.
“Acquiring a starting-caliber center was the top priority for us this offseason,” Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said at the time. “Deandre’s size, mobility and playoff experience align with our championship aspirations.”
Luka Dončić Injury Raises Alarm After Clippers Loss
Ayton’s return comes as concern continues to swirl around Luka Dončić, whose status remains day to day after exiting Saturday’s 103–88 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Photos of Dončić on the court with a heavy wrap around his lower left leg quickly spread across social media, sparking anxiety among Lakers fans.
Redick confirmed Monday that Dončić suffered a lower left leg contusion but he downplayed the injury.
“He’ll be day to day,” Redick said.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Dončić sustained the injury after colliding with Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanović late in the first half at Intuit Dome. Dončić was visibly hobbling before halftime and informed the coaching staff he could not continue.
“I saw him hobbling toward the end of the first half,” Redick said. “He came to me at halftime and said he couldn’t go.”
Dončić left the arena without speaking to reporters.
Injury Interrupts Historic Start for Dončić
The injury interrupted one of the most dominant stretches of Dončić’s career. Entering the Clippers game, the 25-year-old was leading the NBA in scoring at a career-best 35.2 points per game, while also averaging 9.1 assists, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.7 steals.
Against the Clippers, Dončić endured one of his rare off halves, scoring 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting — including 1-for-6 from three-point range — while committing four turnovers. The Lakers trailed 54–39 at halftime and never fully recovered.
The contusion appeared unrelated to a similar injury that sidelined Dončić for three games in late October, though the visual similarity raised immediate concern.
Lakers Lean on Depth as Injuries Mount
The Lakers have now dealt with simultaneous absences of key rotation players, making Ayton’s return all the more significant. With Dončić’s status uncertain, Los Angeles will need stability in the paint and defensive rebounding to stay afloat in the Western Conference standings.
Ayton also shares the same agent, Bill Duffy, as Dončić — a relationship that has quietly strengthened chemistry between the two stars since Ayton’s arrival.
The Lakers will take the win where they can get it: a healthy starting center returning just as uncertainty surrounds their franchise cornerstone.
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