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All eyes will be on the LA Lakers' injury report for Monday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. It's LA's second back-to-back clash of the season against the same opponent.
When the teams last met on Oct. 27, the Lakers were severely shorthanded, missing Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber and Adou Thiero.
LA lost that matchup 122-108 primarily due to this reason. However, the Lakers could have better depth on Monday. Doncic, Smart and Hayes have returned from brief absences over the past week.
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Doncic missed three games due to a left finger and leg contusion. Smart was out for two with a quad injury. Hayes missed three with a knee issue. While the Lakers have yet to release the official injury report, the trio could be available.
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Neither was on the injury report in Sunday's 130-120 win over the Heat and finished the game without any issues. Austin Reaves could also play on the second night of a back-to-back. He's played all games and is injury-free.
However, there's looming uncertainty around Deandre Ayton. The LA Lakers' marquee offseason signing missed his first game on Sunday.
Ayton dealt with back spasms in Friday's 117-112 win against the Grizzlies and missed the second half. He was available to return in the fourth, but LA didn't risk aggravating the injury.
JJ Redick says Deandre Ayton was experiencing middle back spasms tonight. Was available in the 4Q, but didn't want to risk it. Also liked what he saw from the groups out there.
Ayton was listed as probable against the Heat and was likely to play. However, the Lakers downgraded his status twice before tip off to rule him out. Coach JJ Redick revealed that Ayton still felt some tightness, leading to the change in his injury status.
JJ Redick says Deandre Ayton has been downgraded to questionable. He's still dealing with some tightness and spasms in his back.
Ayton will be day-to-day ahead of his return to Portland. He spent the last two seasons with the Lakers' Western Conference counterparts before being bought out of his contract this offseason.
The LA Lakers will remain without LeBron James, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber and Adou Thiero. James is out with sciatica without a definitive timetable to return, while Vincent could miss up to four weeks with an ankle injury.
Kleber is out with an abdominal strain, but is inching closer to his re-evaluation date on Tuesday. On Oct. 21, the Lakers announced they would assess Kleber's health in two weeks.
Rookie Thiero could also be nearing a return after recovering from a knee surgery in the offseason. He was recalled from the South Bay Lakers on Sunday, but didn't play against the Heat.
Editor's note: The injury report will be updated once the Lakers make official announcements.
Where to watch the LA Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers game?
NBA TV will nationally televise the LA Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers game at the Moda Center from 10:00 p.m. ET and 7:00 p.m. PT. Fans abroad can catch live action online via NBA League Pass. The Lakers are 5-2, while the Blazers are 4-2. Portland leads the season series 1-0.
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Edited by Arhaan Raje
English (US)