The Los Angeles Lakers‘ active roster has been severely depleted over their last three games, as they have had at least six players out due to injury in each of those contests. But they may be just starting to become a little healthier.
Backup center Jaxson Hayes, who had missed four games with a knee ailment, returned to action on Wednesday when they defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-115 on Austin Reaves’ game-winner. The Lakers will wrap up a quick two-game road trip on Friday when they take on Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.
They have released their injury report for Friday’s matchup, and there is a chance both Marcus Smart and Luka Doncic will be cleared to return.
Doncic has missed L.A.’s last three games with a finger sprain and leg contusion, and Smart has been out for two games with a quad contusion. Having both back would be huge, especially given how hot Doncic was to start the schedule.
He scored 43 points in the team’s regular-season opener last Tuesday, and on Friday, Oct. 24, he poured in 49 points against Minnesota. He has also totaled 23 rebounds and 17 assists in those two contests.