JJ Redick provides update on Deandre Ayton’s injury
The Los Angeles Lakers head coach revealed the latest news regarding the fitness of Deandre Ayton.
Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick gave fans reason to cheer when he was asked about the latest update on the fitness of Deandre Ayton.
On 23 November, Ayton exited early in the Lakers’ game versus the Utah Jazz after suffering a collision under the rim that badly jarred his right knee. The team’s official explanation described it as a knee contusion; in any case, Ayton was unable to return and only logged 13 minutes, tallying a respectable two points and three rebounds before exiting.
Since then, fans and analysts have watched nervously, particularly considering Ayton’s role as the Lakers’ starting centre after his two-year summer deal worth around $16.6 million. Now it seems that they can sleep easy.
JJ Redick said the MRI on Deandre Ayton’s knee was “clean” but revealed some swelling. Redick said the Lakers have hope that Ayton can return by the end of the week.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 26, 2025
“I don’t think it’s going to be a long-term thing”
During the pre-game media session before the Lakers’ 25 November clash with the Los Angeles Clippers, head coach JJ Redick offered encouraging news about Ayton’s condition: “He got hit on his knee, the MRI was clean other than just swelling, a little bit of a bruise," he said.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a long-term thing,” he added, “and hopefully it’s game to game, and he’s back at some point by the end of the week,” said Redick.
Ayton is averaging 16.5 points and 8.8 points per game in his first season in Los Angeles, with his team currently on a 13-4 record after their recent win against their cross-city rivals, the Clippers.
Why is nobody talking about Deandre Ayton?? pic.twitter.com/0JGyxSyS5U
— Real Sports (@realapp) November 19, 2025
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The Lakers are next in action away to the lowly Dallas Mavericks, on Friday 28 November. The Mavs are suffering something of a mini crisis of their own, having just received news of Dereck Lively’s physical condition, which has sent fans into a meltdown online.
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