The Los Angeles Lakers continue to juggle injuries during a stop-start season, with Luka Doncic set to miss his second consecutive game.
Doncic suffered a hamstring issue early in Thursday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers and was subsequently sidelined for Saturday’s victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Ahead of Monday night’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers have officially ruled the Slovenian out once again.
While most of the attention has understandably centered on Doncic’s absence, another update on the injury front has given Los Angeles reason for optimism.
Lakers Receive Encouraging Update on Ayton
On the injury report for the Thunder game, the Lakers listed starting center Deandre Ayton as probable after he missed the Warriors matchup with right knee soreness.
Ayton was not initially included on the injury report against Golden State but became a late scratch after experiencing discomfort during pregame activity.
“He went out for his shooting stretch, and, you know, just didn’t feel completely comfortable with it,” Redick said . “I don’t think there’s any reason to believe it’s anything but day-to-day.”
The fact that Ayton jumped straight to probable, rather than questionable, suggests the issue has eased and is not expected to linger.
Through 45 games this season, Ayton is averaging 13.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game while shooting an efficient 67.7% from the field.
Still, scrutiny around the 27-year-old has grown as the season has worn on, with questions emerging about his consistency, overall impact, and long-term fit in Los Angeles.
That conversation has intensified following a stretch in which Ayton has missed several point-blank opportunities, including routine finishes around the rim.
At times, he’s looked far cry from the interior force he was projected to be after entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2018.
Another Laker Inches Closer to Return
Also on the injury report, rookie Adou Thiero remains listed as out as he continues to recover from a long-term MCL sprain.
However, signs are pointing towards a return in the near future .
On Sunday, the Lakers announced that Thiero, along with second-year guard Dalton Knecht , had been assigned to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, for practice.
The 21-year-old has been sidelined since December 30, and the assignment represents a meaningful step forward in his rehabilitation process.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin , the rookie “participated in his first full-contact stay-ready game since the injury earlier in the week.”
Around the league, these types of G League practice assignments are often used as a final ramp-up stage before a player is cleared to return, making Thiero’s participation an encouraging milestone in his recovery timeline.
Since being selected with the 36th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Thiero has appeared in 15 games for the Lakers, averaging 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds in limited minutes.
With Luke Kennard added at the trade deadline, Kobe Bufkin recently signing to a two-year deal , and Thiero edging closer to a return, the Lakers are quietly building added depth and versatility on the wing.
As Los Angeles approaches the All-Star break having won eight of its last 11 games, those reinforcements could arrive at an ideal time and help fuel a late-season push.
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