JJ Redick Sends Strong Message After Deandre Ayton Injury
After the Los Angeles Lakers squeaked out a 108-106 win over the Utah Jazz, coach JJ Redick delivered a strong message regarding Deandre Ayton‘s injury. Ayton was ruled out of the second half due to a right knee contusion.
Speaking to the media in his postgame press conference, Redick was asked about an update on Ayton’s condition. The second-year coach didn’t want to speculate on his big man’s injury, but he wanted everyone to know that it’s next man up for his team.
“I mean, everybody’s got to be ready. I don’t want to speculate on DA, but you know, we feel confident that we have enough options,” Redick said.
Ayton was unable to practice on Saturday because of illness, but he was cleared to play against the
“He had gotten hit on his leg in the first half and was kind of limping through it. And then couldn’t go in the second half,” Redick said, via ESPN
The former No. 1 pick finished with just two points, two rebounds and one steal in 13 minutes.
Redick’s Options if Ayton Gets Ruled Out
The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t released an update on
If Ayton gets ruled out, coach JJ Redick has solid options off the bench. Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber split the minutes at center in the second half, as per
Ayton is having a solid start to his Lakers career, averaging 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the purple and gold franchise in free agency. He has a player option for next season, so he’s playing for a new contract.
Ayton Underappreciated This Season
After recording three consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound games, Deandre Ayton received a shoutout from NBA analyst MJ Acosta-Ruiz. The host of The Association on NBA TV praised Ayton’s performances for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, describing his contribution to the 12-win team as “underappreciated.”
“He has been going off; he has four 20 and 10 games already through the season, which is what he had all of last year. And he is anchoring this Lakers defense at the moment. I think he’s one of those guys…you can’t discount what he’s been doing thus far this season,” Acosta-Ruiz said, via
Ayton has looked comfortable alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. He’s expected to thrive with LeBron James as well, so he’s going to be a huge factor throughout the season for the Lakers. He might never live up to his potential as a former No. 1 pick, but he could carve out a perfect role in Hollywood.
Steve Kerr Hints at Shocking Warriors Lineup Change
The Golden State Warriors may be finally abandoning the small-ball identity that defined the dynasty era. After surrendering an 11-point lead and a decisive rebounding battle in a 127-123 loss to the
The defeat marked the team’s third consecutive loss and once again highlighted Golden State’s most glaring weakness: interior size.
Kerr Admits Size Problem After Blazers Dominate Glass
Portland pummeled the Warriors on the offensive boards, grabbing 12 more offensive rebounds and turning those extra possessions into a 28-10 advantage in second-chance points — the difference in the game.
“It’s a concern,” Kerr said. “We’ve been playing relatively small lineups with Draymond [Green] at the five. We’ll think about going back to Quinten [Post] to get more size out there. That’s definitely a possibility. We’ll have to get a good gauge on our team this week and watch the film.”
Kerr experimented with larger combinations in the second half, pairing multiple bigs in extended stretches.
“We may have to shift the combinations and play bigger more often — play two bigs more often,” he added. “Somebody with Dray, whether it’s
Numbers Reveal Warriors’ Size Problem
The Warriors are one of the worst rebounding teams in the
- No player averages at least 7 rebounds per game.
- 22nd in team rebounding (42.2 per game)
- 18th in opponent rebounds allowed (44.6 per game)
- 20thin second-chance points allowed (16.1 per game)
Their leading rebounder — Jonathan Kuminga, at just 6.6 per game — is currently out with a knee injury.
Injuries Threaten Kerr’s Plan to Go Big
Addressing the size problem is now even more complicated, as Golden State may not have the personnel to go bigger.
Veteran center Horford is expected to miss at least one week due to sciatica,
“I’m not sure what it is,” Kerr said, confirming Horford was “unavailable” with no timetable.
Meanwhile, Green is questionable with a foot injury, per Poole. If Green sits, the Warriors could enter Monday’s game against the Utah Jazz with depleted frontcourt depth and few available options to attempt bigger lineups.
Warriors’ $12 Million Gamble on Horford Already Raising Questions
GettyGolden State Warriors center Al Horford is out again for at least a week.
Golden State signed Horford to the full mid-level exception to stabilize the center position and allow Kerr the flexibility to go big. So far, the investment has backfired.
Horford is averaging career lows across the board: 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in 21.8 minutes while shooting 32% from three.
The Warriors envisioned Horford as a floor-spacing veteran anchor. Instead, he has struggled to stay healthy and has played beneath expectations when available — and the contract now looms over the roster construction.
Pressure Mounts as Warriors Search for Answers
Golden State’s identity has long been built on speed, spacing and small-ball versatility. But the early-season slide, mounting losses inside the paint, and Horford’s unreliability may force Kerr to pivot into unfamiliar territory.
Whether the Warriors can adapt — and whether they have the bodies available to do so — could determine if this team recovers or slips deeper into the Western Conference standings before the trade market heats up in January.
