The Los Angeles Lakers’ big man, DeAndre Ayton, was listed as probable to play after a one-game absence against the Los Angeles Clippers. JJ Redick provided an update regarding center Ayton’s knee injury during the game against the Utah Jazz. The Lakers fans have good news surrounding the return of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

“The Lakers’ DeAndre Ayton has been upgraded to available tonight to play against Dallas,” Marc Stein reported on X.

DeAndre Ayton is set to return to the lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers when they host the Dallas Mavericks, a boost after exiting their game under the rim in the Utah game, after a brief 13 minutes of play.  In the first quarter of Los Angeles’ 108-106 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday, the 27-year-old sustained the injury. He ran into Jazz forward Ace Bailey, hurt his knee, played briefly through it, and then left in the second quarter.

According to Redick, Ayton’s knee MRI came back “clean,” and the team was optimistic that he would be able to return by the end of the week. An MRI showed no structural damage, only swelling, prompting the team’s medical staff and coach JJ Redick to call the prognosis optimistic. 

“He had gotten hit on his leg in the first half and was kind of limping through it,” Redick explained after the game. “And then couldn’t go in the second half.”

Ayton has started all 15 games this season with an average of 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game. He has been a vital component of Los Angeles this season as a productive scorer inside the arc, securing a 69.6 percent shooting field goal percentage. With his return, the Lakers regain their starting center. 

DeAndre Ayton issues a clear message to Luka Doncic & LeBron James

DeAndre Ayton reaffirmed his role with the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of their game against the Dallas Mavericks. He made it clear that while Luka Doncic and LeBron James carry the scoring load, he is there to give the Lakers a truly dominant big man.

“Me, I’m here to give the Lakers what they’ve been missing for a long time: a big man that can put up numbers, anchor a defense, and be a presence on both ends of the floor,” DeAndre Ayton said. “Putting up numbers, that’s easy. Luka and Bron already did their job; now it’s time for me to eat.”

While the Laker managed to win the previous game, his absence faded the interior presence. Now marked probable to return, Ayton’s coming back means the Lakers regain a critical defensive pillar. With Doncic and LeBron expected to carry the offense, Ayton’s return should restore balance, rebounding, rim protection, and a reliable big man inside to help maintain interior stability against Dallas.  

The Lakers face the Mavericks in a clear clash of styles. Los Angeles leans on its size, interior defense, and controlled tempo, especially with DeAndre Ayton back to strengthen the paint alongside Anthony Davis. The Mavericks counter with perimeter-heavy offense, fast pacing, and constant spacing. Relying on sharp shooting, ball movement, and attacking gaps before the Lakers’ defense gets set. If Ayton brings the anchor role he promised, the Lakers could be much harder to stop down low against Dallas.