Lakers' Hayes out at least 1 week with sprained ankle

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes will be re-evaluated in one-to-two weeks after spraining his ankle in practice Tuesday.

His absence is likely to exacerbate the Lakers' thin frontcourt depth. Starting center Anthony Davis continues to battle a foot issue that bothered him last season, and two-way big Christian Koloko is the only other 7-footer on Los Angeles' roster.

Forward Christian Wood has yet to play this season due to recurring soreness in his left knee, which extended his absence Tuesday for at least another four weeks. Jarred Vanderbilt is also out indefinitely while recovering from offseason surgeries on both feet.

Hayes is averaging 6.3 points and 4.6 rebounds through 10 games this season, his second with the Lakers. He's playing 17.5 minutes per game, the most since 2021-22 when he averaged 20 minutes per game with the New Orleans Pelicans.