Originally published by LakersNation.com
The Los Angeles Lakers have ramped things up the past few weeks, earning multiple quality wins over playoff-caliber opponents.
The Lakers’ success can be tied to their offensive efficiency, but more importantly they’re getting healthy after seeing nearly every rotation player miss time at some point during the 2025-26 season. However, the team was shorthanded against the Chicago Bulls as they ruled out Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes.
While LeBron James made his return, losing all three of Smart, Kleber and Hayes at the same time puts a dent in head coach JJ Redick’s rotation. All three veterans have played various roles for Los Angeles and have proven they understand what’s needed of them to win games.
Fortunately, it sounds like Smart was given a night off to let his hip heal and Redick is hopeful he can suit up for Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.
“Smart has been kind of dealing with his hip for a couple games now,” Redick said before the win. “He wants to play, but really, we just need it to calm down. We got a really tough stretch, we’re in a tough stretch with some travel coming up. He’s day-to-day, we expect him to hopefully be back on Saturday against Denver.”
As for Kleber, Redick was unclear how long he’d be out with his lingering back issue but it definitely sounds like he will miss at least a few games.
“Maxi has an issue that flared up earlier in the season in December and it’s flared up again,” Redick said. “He’s had some good days, he’s had some bad days. He’s probably gonna be out for a little bit just so we can get this to calm down.”
Lastly, Hayes is dealing with his own back issue and it remains to be seen if he’ll be forced to miss more time.
“Jaxson got imaging today, we have not gotten the results of that yet, so nothing to really report there.”
Hopefully, neither Kleber or Hayes are forced to miss significant time as the center rotation would be left incredibly thin. Luckily, it sounds like Smart should be in the lineup against the Nuggets, and they’ll need him to help against Nikola Jokic and company.
Bronny James says Lakers believe they’re contenders if healthy
The Lakers have struggled to stay healthy over the years and it’s cost them several games in the process. However, Bronny James and the rest of the roster are confident that they’re contenders so long as they can get healthy.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
The Los Angeles Lakers have ramped things up the past few weeks, earning multiple quality wins over playoff-caliber opponents.
The Lakers’ success can be tied to their offensive efficiency, but more importantly they’re getting healthy after seeing nearly every rotation player miss time at some point during the 2025-26 season. However, the team was shorthanded against the Chicago Bulls as they ruled out Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes.
While LeBron James made his return, losing all three of Smart, Kleber and Hayes at the same time puts a dent in head coach JJ Redick’s rotation. All three veterans have played various roles for Los Angeles and have proven they understand what’s needed of them to win games.
Fortunately, it sounds like Smart was given a night off to let his hip heal and Redick is hopeful he can suit up for Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.
“Smart has been kind of dealing with his hip for a couple games now,” Redick said before the win. “He wants to play, but really, we just need it to calm down. We got a really tough stretch, we’re in a tough stretch with some travel coming up. He’s day-to-day, we expect him to hopefully be back on Saturday against Denver.”
As for Kleber, Redick was unclear how long he’d be out with his lingering back issue but it definitely sounds like he will miss at least a few games.
“Maxi has an issue that flared up earlier in the season in December and it’s flared up again,” Redick said. “He’s had some good days, he’s had some bad days. He’s probably gonna be out for a little bit just so we can get this to calm down.”
Lastly, Hayes is dealing with his own back issue and it remains to be seen if he’ll be forced to miss more time.
“Jaxson got imaging today, we have not gotten the results of that yet, so nothing to really report there.”
Hopefully, neither Kleber or Hayes are forced to miss significant time as the center rotation would be left incredibly thin. Luckily, it sounds like Smart should be in the lineup against the Nuggets, and they’ll need him to help against Nikola Jokic and company.
Bronny James says Lakers believe they’re contenders if healthy
The Lakers have struggled to stay healthy over the years and it’s cost them several games in the process. However, Bronny James and the rest of the roster are confident that they’re contenders so long as they can get healthy.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
