The Los Angeles Lakers’ already fragile frontcourt just suffered a devastating one-two punch, handing the Denver Nuggets a massive playoff-shaping advantage heading into Saturday’s showdown.
Head coach JJ Redick delivered the grim updates during pregame availability before the Lakers’ 142–130 win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, and the news could not be worse for Los Angeles — or better for Denver.
Backup center Jaxson Hayes underwent imaging earlier Thursday as the team scrambles to assess the severity of a back injury that has suddenly clouded his status.
“Jaxson got imaging today,” Redick said. “We have not gotten the results of that yet, so nothing to really report on there.”
Hayes had been a reliable piece in the rotation, averaging 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17.7 minutes. His potential absence now leaves the Lakers dangerously thin inside at the exact moment they need size and rim protection most.
Even worse for L.A., veteran forward Maxi Kleber appears headed for an extended absence with a recurring back issue that first flared in December and has now returned with a vengeance.
“This is an issue that flared up earlier in the season — in December — and it’s flared up again,” Redick confirmed. “He had some good days, he’s had some bad days. He’s probably going to be out for a little bit just so we can get this to calm down.”
Kleber, 34, has already been limited all year (2.2 points, 1.9 rebounds in 10.9 minutes). With both Hayes and Kleber now sidelined, the Lakers’ interior depth has been gutted right before a brutal stretch that includes a physical Saturday night war against the Nuggets.
That leaves the entire burden on starting center Deandre Ayton — and while Ayton posted 23 points and 10 rebounds in Thursday’s win (his second straight double-double), his season-long numbers remain the worst of his career. He is suddenly being asked to anchor the frontcourt alone against the most dominant center in basketball.
The timing could not be more disastrous for the Lakers. Los Angeles enters the weekend riding a four-game winning streak and sitting third in the Western Conference after Thursday’s victory. Luka Dončić exploded for 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, while LeBron James returned from injury with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Momentum is real — yet the frontcourt crisis completely flips the script for what was already going to be a rugged matchup against Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets.
With Hayes’ results still unknown and Kleber likely weeks away, Denver has just been handed the ultimate playoff preview advantage. The Nuggets’ interior dominance, already league-best, now faces a depleted Lakers frontcourt that simply cannot match up. What was supposed to be a competitive Saturday night clash has suddenly turned into a massive opportunity for Denver to expose Los Angeles’ biggest weakness at the worst possible time.
The Lakers will keep monitoring Hayes’ imaging and hope Ayton can carry the load, but the reality is clear: the Nuggets just caught the biggest break possible in the Western Conference race. The matchup has been flipped on its head — and Denver knows it.