Jaxson Hayes Injury News & Updates

Hayes finished with three points (1-1 FG, 1-4 FT), five rebounds and three blocks over 17 minutes during Sunday's 112-108 win over the 76ers.

Hayes has been on a tear defending the rim recently, averaging 1.6 blocks in his last five games. While he does come off the bench backing up Deandre Ayton, he may have some standalone value as a blocks specialist, and is a worthy add if Ayton were to miss any time.

Hayes had eight points (4-4 FG, 0-1 FT), six rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 21 minutes during Sunday's 133-121 victory over the Pelicans.

Deandre Ayton (knee) was well on his way to an outstanding stat line before a knee injury forced him out, and Hayes continued the assault on New Orleans' withering interior in his place. Hayes' numbers off the bench have been nothing special, but Ayton's heavy load and superb play are the cause of the low numbers. Ayton's injury appears to be minor, but a start could be in store for the seventh-year pro if Ayton is sidelined.

Hayes isn't part of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Mavericks, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes made a spot start Tuesday, but he'll return to the second unit for Friday's matchup with Dallas. The center logged eight points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block over 30 minutes during the start.

Hayes is in the Lakers' starting lineup against the Clippers on Tuesday, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes will make his second start of the regular season Tuesday in the absence of Deandre Ayton (knee). In his first start Nov. 2 against the Heat, Hayes finished with 15 points (7-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block over 32 minutes. The seventh-year center will be a lob threat for the Lakers while sharing the floor with Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

Hayes posted eight points (3-3 FG, 2-3 FT), three rebounds and one steal in 15 minutes during Tuesday's 140-126 win over Utah.

Hayes has been a formidable backup for Deandre Ayton and has turned it up on offense recently, averaging 9.0 points on 85.7 percent from the field through 16.0 minutes. While his role among the second unit has been established, he would be a good addition should Ayton miss time, as he dropped 15 points and five rebounds in his lone start this season.

Hayes (ankle) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hayes has been dealing with an ankle issue, but it won't keep him off the floor. In five games played this season, the veteran center is averaging 5.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, shooting 76.5 percent from the field.

Hayes (ankle) has been listed as probable to play in Wednesday's game against the Spurs, NBA reporter Jovan Buha reports.

Hayes is dealing with an ankle sprain, but is trending in the right direction to be available. The veteran big man has embraced a bench role this season, averaging 5.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 19.0 minutes per game.

Hayes will return to the second unit for Monday's game in Portland, Harrison Faigen of SBNation.com reports.

Hayes earned a spot-start Sunday with Deandre Ayton (back) unavailable, but Ayton will be returning for Monday's game, which means Hayes could be confined to minutes in the teens. He's not a great target in most leagues when operating in a reserve role.

Hayes will start in Sunday's game against the Heat, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

With Deandre Ayton (back) sidelined, Hayes will get the starting nod for the first time this season. The big man has averaged 2.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 16.7 minutes per game across three regular-season appearances thus far.

Hayes (knee) finished with two points (1-2 FG), three assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block in 13 minutes off the bench Wednesday in the Lakers' 116-115 win over the Timberwolves.

Back in action after missing the previous three games due to left knee patellar tendinopathy, Hayes slotted back into his usual role as the top backup to starting center Deandre Ayton. Aside from racking up four fouls, Hayes came through with a well-rounded line in his return, but he's unlikely to see his minutes rise much from this level while Ayton remains healthy and locked in atop the depth chart.

Hayes (knee) is available for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Hayes is set to end a three-game absence due to a knee issue. With Maxi Kleber out with an oblique strain, Hayes is in position to serve as the Lakers' top backup center behind Deandre Ayton going forward.

Hayes (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves.

Hayes has missed the last three games due to a knee issue. He appears to be trending in the right direction to return. If he's unable to play for a fourth straight game, the team will likely continue to lean on Jarred Vanderbilt.

Hayes (knee) will not play Monday against the Trail Blazers, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Hayes will end up sitting both games of this back-to-back set, but he's considered day-to-day with soreness. With Hayes out once again, the Lakers are likely to turn to Jarred Vanderbilt after his strong performance Sunday against the Kings.

Hayes (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Kings, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

Hayes entered Sunday's game listed as questionable but will ultimately sit out the first half of the back-to-back with knee soreness. In his absence, Christian Koloko could see more run as a traditional center, while Jarred Vanderbilt may take on additional minutes in smaller lineups.

Hayes (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Kings, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Hayes is in danger of missing his second straight game due to left knee soreness. If the big man is ultimately ruled out, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Koloko are candidates for an uptick in playing time.

Hayes (knee) has been Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com for Friday's game against the Timberwolves, McMenamin reports.

Hayes popped up on the injury report early Friday due to left knee soreness. Christian Koloko has been made active for this matchup due to Hayes' absence.

Hayes has been downgraded to questionable for Friday's game against the Timberwolves due to left knee soreness, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports.

Hayes had four points (2-3 FG), six rebounds and one assist in 14 minutes during Tuesday's 119-109 loss to the Warriors, operating as Deandre Ayton's backup center. If Hayes is unable to suit up Friday, it's possible the Lakers utilize a smaller lineup with someone like Jarred Vanderbilt benefitting.

Hayes closed with four points (2-3 FG), six rebounds and one assist in 14 minutes during Tuesday's 119-109 loss to the Warriors.

Hayes operated as the direct backup to Deandre Ayton on Tuesday, with Jarred Vanderbilt logging 12 minutes at forward. Ayton had a decent showing in 34 minutes, and at least for now, it doesn't appear like Hayes is going to be a threat to Ayton.

Hayes (wrist) is off the Lakers' injury report for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes exited Friday's preseason loss to the Kings due to a sprained right wrist but will return to game action in Los Angeles' regular-season opener. With Maxi Kleber (abdomen) in jeopardy of missing Opening Night, Hayes could see a slight uptick in minutes against Golden State. The 25-year-old center appeared in 56 regular-season games (35 starts) in 2024-25, during which he averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game. He's expected to compete with Kleber for playing time behind Deandre Ayton in the 2025-26 campaign.

Hayes has a light wrist sprain but plans to play in Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

Hayes exited Friday's preseason game with what proved to be a right wrist sprain, though early signs suggest it won't impact his availability for Opening Night or beyond. The big man is expected to serve as Deandre Ayton's primary backup at center after starting 35 of 56 regular-season games last year, averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 0.9 blocks in 19.5 minutes per contest.

Hayes will not return to Friday's exhibition due to a right wrist contusion, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Hayes is dealing with a bruised wrist, but it would be surprising if this impacted his status for Opening Night on October 21 against the Warriors. We should get more than a few updates leading up to Tuesday's tip, but if he does need to hit the sidelines, that would open up some minutes for Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt.

Hayes won't start in Friday's preseason game against the Kings, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

With Deandre Ayton (rest) returning to action, Hayes will come off the bench in the Lakers' preseason finale. The big man is likely to compete for minutes with Maxi Kleber behind Ayton in the regular season.

Hayes finished with 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a blocked shot across 25 minutes in Wednesday's 121-91 preseason loss to the Mavericks.

Deandre Ayton (rest) will begin the season as trhe Lakers' starting center, and Hayes iwll be locked in a battle with Jarred Vanderbilt for backup minutes. Based on recent history, Hayes should have the upper hand considering his usage last season, but Hayes' utility will be limited to the five. Vanderbilt has been used as a four in the past, so his profile offers a bit more flexibility.

Hayes is part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's preseason game against the Mavericks, NBA reporter Jovan Buha reports.

The Lakers are resting their entire starting five from their previous preseason contest, opening up a spot for Hayes in the first unit. Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt make up the rest of the lineup.

Hayes (rest) will play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Mavericks, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Hayes took a seat in Tuesday's loss to the Suns, though he'll return for the second leg of the team's back-to-back set. The 25-year-old center was a mainstay in the starting lineup last season after the Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Mavericks. However, Hayes is expected to compete for playing time with Maxi Kleber (quadriceps) and Jarred Vanderbilt off the bench this season.

Hayes (rest) won't play in Tuesday's preseason game against the Suns, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt will all be in street clothes Tuesday, but Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton are expected to be available for the first half of the Lakers' preseason back-to-back set. Hayes is slated to be the top backup center behind Ayton on Opening Night.

Hayes agreed to a one-year contract with the Lakers on Thursday, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

Hayes will return to Los Angeles for a third straight season. The veteran center will now share the frontcourt with Deandre Ayton (calf), who signed with the team on Wednesday. In 56 games last season, Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while shooting a career-high 72.2 percent from the field.

Hayes (hand) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes will be the only usual starter for the Lakers who will be available Sunday during the team's regular-season finale. The veteran big man is averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game, shooting 72.2 percent from the field.

Hayes is questionable for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a right hand contusion, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

A decision on Hayes' status will be made closer to tip-off. That said, it wouldn't be surprising to see him handle a sizable workload in the regular-season finale since the Lakers will rest most of their rotation regulars. Hayes has been a starter for the team since the trade that sent Anthony Davis (groin) to the Mavericks. He's averaging 8.1 points and 5.6 boards per game since the All-Star break.

Hayes (hand) has been upgraded to available for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes was initially listed as questionable for this contest, but the big man has been upgraded to available and should start at center. The big man is averaging 8.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.9 blocks per game since the All-Star break and should handle his regular workload in this matchup.

Hayes (hand) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Lakers, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes is dealing with a contusion on his right hand, which might keep him sidelined Wednesday in Dallas. If the veteran center cannot play against the Mavericks, the Lakers will likely turn to Trey Jemison and Dorian Finney-Smith to shoulder the load in the frontcourt.

Hayes had seven points (3-4 FG, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 27 minutes during Tuesday's 136-120 loss to the Thunder.

Hayes continues to start for the Lakers but has been unable to put up anything close to meaningful numbers, particularly on the offensive end. Over his past 14 games, Hayes is averaging just 20.4 minutes per game despite starting in all 14. In that time, he has produced 8.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per contest.

Hayes registered three points (1-2 FG, 1-1 FT), three rebounds and one assist in 14 minutes during Monday's 104-98 victory over the Rockets.

The Lakers had a lot of success with their small-ball lineups, as Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent combined for 40 points off the bench. Therefore, Hayes' minutes were held in check Monday. Over his last eight games, Hayes has been limited to deep-league value with averages of 8.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.5 blocks.

Hayes contributed 19 points (9-11 FG, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block over 32 minutes during Thursday's 119-117 loss to the Bulls.

Hayes has been a relatively hit-or-miss fantasy option since taking over in the middle following the trade of Anthony Davis, but Thursday did mark the third time in March where Hayes scored 19 points in a game. He's averaged 11.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks in 25.0 minutes across 11 games this month, and Hayes is shooting a robust 80.3 percent from the field during this period.

Hayes finished Monday's 118-106 loss to the Magic with four points (2-4 FG), four rebounds and one block across 18 minutes.

Hayes scored fewer than five points for just the second time since the All-Star break. The big man saw a significant decrease in playing time Monday, as Rui Hachimura and LeBron James both received a bump in minutes during their second game back from extended absences. The club may decide to utilize Dorian Finney-Smith at the center position more often to give Hachimura more playing time, which could result in Hayes seeing a slight decrease in minutes moving forward.

Hayes provided nine points (3-5 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals across 28 minutes during Monday's 125-109 victory over San Antonio.

Hayes continues to tighten his grip on the starting center job for the shorthanded Lakers. He's trending up over his last five outings, averaging 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks on 53.1 percent shooting from the field. In that span, he's returned 10th-round value in nine-category formats.

Hayes accumulated 19 points (8-10 FG, 3-7 FT), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 29 minutes during Sunday's 107-96 win over Phoenix.

Hayes returned Sunday after a four-game absence due to a knee injury, providing a nice lift in the paint for the Lakers while finishing second on the team in rebounds and coming up one point shy of the 20-point mark. Hayes matched a season high in scoring, a mark he posted one other time on March 4.

Hayes (knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Suns.

As expected, Hayes has been upgraded from probable to available and will return to action Sunday following a four-game absence. Before the injury, Hayes had started in 16 games in a row for the Lakers, averaging 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 blocks across 23.4 minutes per game.

Hayes (knee) is probable for Sunday's game against the Suns.

Hayes has missed the Lakers' last four games, but the probable tag suggests he might be ready to return Sunday. Prior to the injury, Hayes had started in 16 games in a row for the Lakers, averaging 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 blocks across 23.4 minutes per game.

Hayes (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Denver, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes will miss his fourth consecutive contest due to a right knee contusion. His next chance to play will come Sunday against the Suns. Christian Koloko and Alex Len are candidates for an uptick in minutes, especially if Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) or Trey Jemison (illness) are ruled out.

Hayes (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bucks, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Thursday will be the third game in a row that Hayes will miss due to a right knee contusion. It's unclear whether he'll be available for the second leg of the Lakers' back-to-back set Friday against the Nuggets. Alex Len started at center against the Nets on Tuesday and figures to continue doing so until Hayes is cleared to return.

Hayes (knee) will not play against the Nets on Monday.

Hayes will be sidelined for a second straight game with his next chance to play coming Thursday against the Bucks. In his absence, the Lakers could turn to Jarred Vanderbilt and Trey Jemison to soak up some frontcourt minutes.

Hayes (knee) is questionable for Monday's game against Brooklyn, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes is in jeopardy of missing his second consecutive contest due to a right knee contusion. If the big man joins LeBron James (groin) and Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) on the sideline, Trey Jemison and Jarred Vanderbilt are candidates for an uptick in playing time in the frontcourt.

Hayes (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Celtics ,Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Hayes has been dealing with a bruise on his left knee for a few days, which is enough to rule him out for a big game against the defending NBA champions. In his absence, the Lakers will likely turn to Trey Jemison, Alex Len and Dorian Finney-Smith in the frontcourt in Boston.

Hayes (knee) has been listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Celtics, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Hayes has played well since the arrival of Luka Doncic (calf), becoming a strong contributor in the Lakers' frontcourt. However, the team will likely have to pivot Saturday to another option to patrol the paint, with Trey Jemison, Alex Len, and Dorian Finney-Smith potentially needing to pick up the slack.

Hayes (knee) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Celtics, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes popped up on the injury report for the Lakers ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Celtics, as he's dealing with a contusion on his right knee. If the veteran big man cannot play in Boston, Los Angeles will likely lean on Trey Jemison, Dorian Finney-Smith and Alex Len in the frontcourt.

Hayes supplied 19 points (8-8 FG, 3-3 FT) and 10 rebounds across 24 minutes during Tuesday's 136-115 win over the Pelicans.

Hayes recorded his second double-double of the season and continues to trend in the right direction in fantasy formats. Over his last eight games, Hayes has produced 8.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 1.1 blocks in 24.7 minutes, making him worth a look in deeper formats.

Hayes (hip) is available for Friday's game against the Clippers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Hayes has been working through a left hip injury as of late, but the injury is not severe enough for him to be held out of Friday's contest. The 24-year-old center has averaged 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks over 22.2 minutes per game over his last five outings.

Hayes (hip) has been upgraded to probable for Friday's game against the Clippers, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes was initially listed as questionable, so the upgrade in status suggests he's very likely to suit up and handle his regular workload. He's started in his last 12 games, averaging 7.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocks across 22.2 minutes per game in that stretch.

Hayes (hip) has been listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Clippers, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes suffered a left hip contusion during Thursday's win against the Timberwolves and now might be unable to play in the second game of a back-to-back Friday against the Clippers. The veteran center has played well in his new role as a starter for the Lakers, but in the event he's ruled out, the team will likely pivot to Alex Len and Trey Jemison to shoulder the load in the paint, especially with Rui Hachimura (knee) not playing in this game.

Hayes (face) will be available for Wednesday's game against the Hornets, head coach JJ Redick told media Tuesday, according to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register.

Hayes has started in each of the Lakers' last seven games, and that streak might continue Wednesday in the league's return following the All-Star break. It's unclear if Hayes will remain as the Lakers' starting center with Alex Len and Christian Koloko also in the mix, but Hayes has been playing around 20 to 25 minutes on a regular basis over the last few weeks.

Hayes has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against Utah due to a facial contusion, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

It's unclear when Hayes sustained the injury, but it'll prevent him from playing in the second half. He'll finish the contest with four points (2-2 FG), two rebounds, one assist and one block over seven minutes. Alex Len and Christian Koloko should handle most of the center minutes the rest of the way. The Lakers' next game will be Feb. 20 against Charlotte.

Hayes chipped in 12 points (6-6 FG), two rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals over 23 minutes during Monday's 132-113 win over the Jazz.

Hayes showed how impactful he can be with new superstar teammate Luka Doncic during Monday's win against the Jazz. The 24-year-old big man went 6-for-6 from the floor for a season-high 12 points to go along with a season-high three steals, capping off an impressive outing against Utah.

Hayes contributed nine points (4-4 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 29 minutes during Saturday's 124-117 win over the Pacers.

The dozen boards were a new season high for Hayes, who nearly came away with his second double-double of the campaign. The 24-year-old center has started five straight games for the Lakers, averaging 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.0 steals in 25.0 minutes a contest, and with the Mark Williams trade apparently falling through, he could remain in that role until the team finds another solution in the middle.

Hayes closed Tuesday's 122-97 win over the Clippers with six points (3-6 FG, 0-1 FT), six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal in 24 minutes.

The Lakers' lack of frontcourt depth was perhaps the most inscrutable part of this week's blockbuster trade. Unless the Lakers make another move soon, it appears that Hayes will be their number one option in the paint, and although the fifth-year pro has a lot of experience, his ability to hold down a full-time job is an open question. He's never averaged more than 20 minutes per game in a season, and has only started 58 games since joining the league in 2019.

Hayes said he will start center in Thursday's game versus the Wizards, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

With Anthony Davis (abdomen) out for at least a week, Hayes will get the first opportunity to start at center in his absence. Hayes is averaging 6.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in 28.7 minutes across his previous three starting appearances this season.

Hayes closed Tuesday's 118-104 loss to the 76ers with four points (1-1 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and two blocks over 19 minutes.

Hayes didn't see a big uptick in minutes despite the fact that Anthony Davis left this game with an abdominal injury. Davis is expected to miss at least three games, so Hayes is someone to monitor in deeper leagues during the short term if he gets the starting nod Thursday against Washington.

Hayes (shoulder) is available for Sunday's game against the Clippers, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes will add some much-needed depth in the frontcourt in this matchup, where he'll have to battle against the likes of Ivica Zubac and Mo Bamba. Hayes should see decent minutes in this game, though he's not expected to have a big role in most fantasy formats.

Hayes (shoulder) has been upgraded to probable for Sunday's game against the Clippers, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Hayes was previously considered questionable. The center will be on the streaming radar Sunday if Anthony Davis (foot) isn't able to shake off his questionable tag. In a fill-in start Friday versus the Nets, Hayes produced six points, nine rebounds and one assist in 33 minutes.

Hayes is questionable for Sunday's game against the Clippers due to right shoulder soreness, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes made a fill-in start for Anthony Davis (foot) on Friday against the Nets, finishing with six points, nine rebounds and one assist in 33 minutes. Davis is also questionable for Sunday's game, but fortunately for the Lakers, Dorian Finney-Smith is set to return after a two-game absence for personal reasons.

Hayes will start Friday's game against the Nets, Mark Medina of NBA.com reports.

Anthony Davis (foot) was ruled out for this contest after initially carrying a probable tag, but the Lakers are likely just erring on the side of caution. In two starts this season, Hayes produced 6.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 26.5 minutes.

Hayes is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Hawks, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes will return to his regular bench role since Anthony Davis is set to return following a one-game absence. Hayes is averaging 6.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 10 outings off the bench in 2024-25,

Hayes posted four points (2-4 FG), six rebounds, one steal and one block across 18 minutes in Thursday's 114-106 win over the Trail Blazers.

With Anthony Davis (ankle) sitting out the front end of a back-to-back set, Hayes entered the starting five and made his first appearance since Nov. 26. The center had missed 13 straight games with a right ankle sprain/contusion, but he was available for both of the Lakers' two contests prior to Thursday. Though Hayes has been serving as Davis' primary backup when healthy this season, his standing in the rotation could vary game to game now that he's healthy. The Lakers recently acquired Dorian Finney-Smith and could occasionally deploy him as a small-ball center in certain matchups when Davis is off the floor, and the eventual returns of Christian Wood (knee) and Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) from injuries are also likely to hurt Hayes' playing-time outlook.

Hayes (ankle) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's game against the Cavaliers.

Hayes was upgraded to probable following Monday's practice, and the team evidently feels good about his ability to suit up Tuesday and subsequently removed him from the injury report. The Texas product hasn't played in a game since Nov. 26, so he figures to be eased back into action.

Hayes (ankle) listed as probable for Tuesday's game against the Cavaliers, Mark Medina of Sportskeeda reports.

Hayes has missed 20 of the Lakers' last 21 games and is trending toward playing against Cleveland, which gives Los Angeles some much-needed depth at the center position.

Hayes (ankle) was upgraded to available and will be an option off the bench Saturday against the Kings, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes was initially ruled out, but the big man will be available. However, and according to McMenamin, he doesn't expect to play until Tuesday. Hayes hasn't played since Nov. 26 due to a right ankle sprain.

Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Kings, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes hasn't played since Nov. 26 due to a right ankle sprain. He has progressed to 5-on-5 scrimmages with contact, and while he won't play Saturday, he is on track to return against the Cavaliers on New Year's Eve.

Hayes (ankle) is questionable to play Saturday against the Kings.

Hayes took part in practice Friday, and while that's an encouraging sign, the questionable tag suggests a decision on the big man's status will be made closer to Saturday's 10:30 p.m. ET tipoff. Hayes hasn't played since Nov. 26, meaning he's missed the Lakers' last 13 contests.

Hayes (ankle) was a limited participant during Friday's practice, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes has missed the Lakers' last 13 outings due to a right ankle sprain, though he was able to go through non-contact portions of Friday's practice. There is no clear timetable for the big man's return, and he can be considered questionable at best for Saturday's game against the Kings.

Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Warriors, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Lakers are expected to provide an update on Hayes' status this week, but the update isn't likely to come before the Lakers' Christmas Day matchup with Golden State. While it's unclear how close Hayes is to returning, his next chance to play will come Saturday.

Head coach JJ Redick said Tuesday that Hayes is working on strengthening his right ankle, and the Lakers plan to provide an update on his status next week, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes has missed the Lakers' last nine games with what the team has labeled a right ankle sprain/contusion. The 24-year-old center appears to be ramping back up again, but he still looks set to miss another handful of games before potentially returning to action in the final week of December or in early January. Christian Koloko should continue to serve as the primary backup to Anthony Davis while Hayes is sidelined.

Hayes (ankle) is expected to be sidelined 2-to-3 weeks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Hayes returned from a six-game absence in Tuesday's game against the Suns and aggravated his sprained right ankle. The backup big man missed the team's last two games as a result and is now expected to be sidelined until mid-December. His earliest possible return date is seemingly Dec. 19 versus the Kings following the league's in-season tournament. In his absence, Rui Hachimura figures to continue being the prime source of depth in Los Angeles' frontcourt, while Christian Koloko and Max Christie could also see some extra run in the rotation. When healthy, Hayes is averaging 6.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks across 17.5 minutes this season.

Hayes (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Thunder, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports

Hayes couldn't recover in time from the injury, and he's set to miss a second straight game due to a right ankle contusion. His next chance to feature will come against the Jazz on Sunday.

Hayes (ankle) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Thunder, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Hayes missed Wednesday's win against the Spurs due to a right ankle contusion, and the doubtful tag suggests his chances of returning to action Friday are slim to none. Even when healthy, Hayes shouldn't be more than an option off the bench, so his upside will be limited regardless of how healthy he is.

Hayes (ankle) is out for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.

Hayes was diagnosed with a right ankle contusion following Tuesday's loss to the Suns, and he won't feature in the second leg of his back-to-back set. However, his absence shouldn't affect many fantasy decisions. Hayes' next chance to play will come Friday against the Thunder.

Hayes is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Spurs due to a right ankle contusion, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

After returning from a six-game absence Tuesday against the Suns with a left ankle issue, Hayes tweaked his right ankle in the final minutes and did not return. For that reason, it's no surprise to see the Lakers hold the reserve big man out Wednesday. Christian Koloko could potentially pick up the backup center minutes in Hayes' place Wednesday.

Hayes went back to the locker room in the final minutes of Tuesday's 127-100 loss to the Suns with a right ankle injury, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports. He tallied seven points (2-2 FG, 3-4 FT), four rebounds and one steal across 17 minutes.

Hayes returned to game action following a six-game absence due to a lingering left ankle injury. To add insult to injury in a blowout loss, he appeared to hurt his right ankle on a dunk with 1:03 remaining in the game. The big man's status is now in jeopardy ahead of Wednesday's game versus the Spurs. If Hayes is sidelined, Christian Koloko will likely see an uptick in playing time behind Anthony Davis.

Hayes (ankle) is available for Tuesday's game against the Suns.

After missing the past six games for Los Angeles, Hayes is no longer appearing on the injury report. The reserve center holds season averages of 6.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks through 10 appearances thus far.

Hayes (ankle) is probable for Tuesday's game against the Suns, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Hayes has been sidelined for nearly two weeks due to a left ankle sprain, but he's progressing towards a return which is great news for the Lakers. In 10 appearances this season, Hayes made a strong impact in limited minutes with averages of 6.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks.

Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Nuggets, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes suffered a left ankle sprain during practice last week, so it comes as no surprise that he won't suit up Saturday. His next chance to be available for the Lakers will be against the Suns on Tuesday.

Hayes (ankle) will be re-evaluated in one to two weeks, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

An MRI confirmed that Hayes is dealing with a sprained ankle that he suffered at Tuesday's practice. With Hayes expected to miss a handful of games, Christian Koloko will have an opportunity to step up as the backup center.

Hayes (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes is in jeopardy of missing his first game of the season due to a right ankle sprain. The big man was listed on the injury report before Sunday's win over Toronto with left knee soreness, and it is unclear whether the new injury will cause him to miss significant time. If Hayes is unable to go, Christian Koloko could see extended playing time behind Anthony Davis (foot/eye).

Hayes (knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Raptors.

Hayes carried a probable designation into Sunday's contest due to left knee soreness, but he will officially be available. In his last four games off the bench, Hayes has averaged 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks across 14.8 minutes per game.

Hayes (knee) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Raptors, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes has been on the Lakers' injury report the past few days due to left knee soreness, but the issue isn't serious enough for him to be sidelined. He's averaging 5.7 points and 4.4 rebounds over 17 minutes to start the 2024-25 regular season.

Hayes (knee) is available for Friday's matchup with the 76ers.

No surprise here, as Hayes drew a probable designation prior to the game. Barring any setbacks, the big man should take on his usual role providing depth in Los Angeles' frontcourt.

Hayes is probable for Friday's game against the 76ers due to left knee soreness, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

The probable tag suggests Hayes should play Friday, although his role is uncertain. If Anthony Davis (heel) ends up being available, then Hayes would return to his regular role off the bench. Hayes got the start in Wednesday's loss to the Grizzlies and posted eight points, 10 rebounds and an assist across 35 minutes.

Hayes is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Hayes will get the nod at center with Anthony Davis (ankle) sidelined. However, head coach JJ Redick stated prior to Wednesday's contest that he'll look to give Christian Koloko some minutes, so Hayes is not expected to absorb all of Davis' minutes. His fantasy upside should remain relatively low even if he's going to get promoted to a starting role.

The NBA is reopening an investigation into a 2021 altercation involving Hayes and his former girlfriend, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports.

The NBA did not discipline Hayes following its initial investigation into Hayes' 2021 arrest, but new footage was released by TMZ on Saturday. "We're obviously aware that the investigation has been reopened, and we're going to cooperate fully," coach JJ Redick said after Saturday's practice.

Hayes supplied four points (1-1 FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and two blocks over 15 minutes during Friday's 131-125 victory over the Raptors.

Hayes blocked a season-high two shots, although his playing time remains underwhelming. Anthony Davis has started the season on fire, limiting Hayes to just 15.7 minutes per night. While he can be a decent per-minute producer, he would need for Davis to miss time to have any shot at playing meaningful minutes.

Hayes (foot) is available for Friday's game against the Suns, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes was widely expected to be available, so this isn't surprising. The big man will continue to operate as Anthony Davis' primary backup at the center position.

Hayes is listed as probable for Friday's game versus the Suns due to left foot soreness.

Despite being a late addition to the injury report, Hayes is still expected to suit up Friday. The 24-year-old big man logged 15 minutes in the Lakers' season opener and should continue to serve as the team's backup center with Christian Wood (knee) and Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) sidelined.

Hayes is in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against the Warriors, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Lakers are resting their projected Opening Night starters and several key reserves, so Hayes will try to impress the coaching staff to secure a roster spot as a frontcourt alternative.

Hayes will start at center in the Lakers' preseason opening matchup against the Timberwolves, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

With LeBron James (rest) and Anthony Daivs (rest) sidelined for the exhibition opener, Hayes will start alongside Rui Hachimura. The big man is looking to earn a role providing depth in Los Angeles' frontcourt this season.

Hayes informed the Lakers on Friday that he will exercise his $2.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Hayes likely would have been on track for a one-year contract at a similar salary level in free agency had he declined the option, so he'll stick around in Los Angeles with the hope that he can solidify himself as the top backup center under first-year head coach J.J. Redick. Previous coach Darvin Ham deployed Hayes as Anthony Davis' primary backup in 2023-24, though the Lakers were without Hayes' main competitors for the position -- Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood -- for much of the season due to injury. Vanderbilt and Wood are both healthy again and are under contract for the upcoming season, so Hayes could struggle to reach the 70 appearances and 12.5 minutes per contest he averaged in 2023-24.

Hayes Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com Friday's game against the Grizzlies, Ryan reports.

Hayes drew a spot start at center Tuesday while Anthony Davis missed time with a headache, but the Texas product will retreat to the bench Friday. Hayes is averaging 7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals in his last five appearances as a reserve.

Hayes will start Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Anthony Davis is sidelined with a headache, so the Lakers will turn to Hayes as their starting center. In four starts this season, Hayes has averaged 11.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.3 steals.

Hayes closed with 19 points (8-9 FG, 3-5 FT), 10 rebounds, one block and five steals in 33 minutes during Sunday's 127-117 loss to Minnesota.

Hayes filled in nicely after Anthony Davis (eye) headed to the locker room. HIs 19 points marked a season-high as well as his second consecutive double-double. Although he only averages 12.4 minutes per game, Hayes has appeared in 67 games for the Lakers and is a shoo-in to make the 15-player roster for the playoffs.

Hayes (calf) is active for Tuesday's game against Toronto, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes will return from one-game absence due to a left calf contusion. Anthony Davis (knee) remains questionable but is expected to suit up Tuesday as well, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Hayes (calf) is probable for Tuesday's game against the Raptors, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes was a late scratch ahead of Sunday's win over the Nets due to a calf contusion but will suit up Tuesday, which is the second half of a back-to-back set. In March (13 games), Hayes has averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game.

Hayes has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Nets due to a calf contusion, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Hayes wasn't listed on the initial injury report and was scratched just an hour before tipoff. The Lakers won't have a true backup center available behind Anthony Davis (knee), so they'll likely have to play small ball with the second unit. Hayes' next chance to suit up comes Tuesday in Toronto.

Hayes isn't starting Friday's game against the Pacers, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Hayes started in Wednesday's win over Memphis and tallied 14 points, seven rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block in 30 minutes. However, he'll retreat to the bench Friday since Anthony Davis (knee) has been cleared to play.

Hayes finished Wednesday's 136-124 win over the Grizzlies with 14 points (6-7 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 30 minutes.

Hayes moved into the starting unit Wednesday with Anthony Davis (knee) out of action, and he was able to give the Lakers 31 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back set despite picking up five fouls. Hayes finished with his second-best scoring total of the season while missing just one of his seven field-goal attempts, and he added seven boards, third-most on the team. It's unclear if Davis will need to miss additional time -- if so, Hayes could hold some value as a low-end streamer in fantasy leagues for managers needing boards, though he's not a viable option when Davis is in the lineup.

Hayes will move into the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies with Anthony Davis (knee) unavailable, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Hayes was limited by foul trouble in his previous start this season and finished with just five points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one turnover to his credit over 20 minutes. However, he'll draw an extremely favorable matchup against a Memphis team featuring a bevy of players on two-way contracts and 10-day deals, so he could still be worth a dice roll in fantasy hoops.

Hayes contributed seven points (3-4 FG, 1-2 FT), three rebounds and one block over 17 minutes during Monday's 136-105 win over the Hawks.

Hayes is having one of his best months in March, shooting 73.9 percent with averages of 5.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 15.6 minutes. From the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign to February, Hayes averaged 3.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game, only seeing a substantial uptick in minutes when Anthony Davis was briefly sidelined. Expect the 23-year-old to continue receiving valuable playing time behind Davis moving forward.

Hayes registered eight points (4-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds and one steal over 19 minutes during Friday's 123-118 victory over the Spurs.

Hayes has no been a regular member of Los Angeles' rotation for the previous 12 games and has seen a similar role throughout. He has averaged 7.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks across 17.5 minutes during that span.

Hayes won't start Saturday's game against the Knicks, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes logged a pair of starts with Anthony Davis sidelined and averaged 11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 steals, but he'll rejoin the reserves with Davis back in action.

Hayes finished Thursday's 114-105 victory over the Celtics with 16 points (6-8 FG, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and three steals in 34 minutes.

Hayes made a second straight start with Anthony Davis (Achilles) out, and the big man made the most of his opportunity by notching his first double-double of the campaign. Considering Christian Wood struggled badly when given minutes Thursday (four points while going 1-9 from the field), Hayes might remain in the starting lineup to face the Knicks on Saturday in case Davis can't recover in time.

Hayes had six points (3-4 FG), six rebounds, one assist, one block and four steals over 24 minutes during Tuesday's 138-122 loss to Atlanta.

With Antonio Davis (Achilles/hip) sidelined, Hayes made his second start of the season and saw his biggest workload of 2023-24 while tying his career high in steals. The 23-year-old center has played double-digit minutes only three times in January however, giving him little fantasy utility in his usual role.

Hayes is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Hawks, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Hayes will replace Anthony Davis (Achilles) in the starting five Tuesday. Hayes tallied eight points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block in 20 minutes during his only other start of the season on Dec. 15.

Hayes amassed nine points (4-4 FG, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, one block and one steal over 14 minutes during Monday's 135-119 loss to Houston.

Hayes delivered an on-brand mix of proficient offense and illegal screening in the Lakers' loss to Houston. The Rockets were firmly in control throughout the contest, and made a conscious effort to target Christian Wood, which was a factor in Hayes logging his most playing time since Dec. 15.

Hayes closed with zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) in three minutes during Friday's 130-112 loss to Brooklyn.

Hayes remained in the rotation Friday, albeit for just three minutes. He has played only three times in the past eight games, scoring a combined six points in that time. He is outside the top 400 in standard leagues, making him a non-factor in all fantasy formats.

Hayes isn't starting Monday's game against the Knicks, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes started at center Friday in San Antonio with Anthony Davis out of commission, but the Texas product will return to his usual role as a reserve Monday after Davis was given the green light to play. Hayes hasn't seen much playing time off the bench of late, averaging 10.4 minutes over his last five appearances.

Hayes will start Friday's game against the Spurs, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Anthony Davis (hip/groin) is taking the night off for the Lakers, but he'll be day-to-day going forward. This will be a great opportunity for Hayes, as he hasn't seen the floor much for the Lakers this season. Through 22 appearances, he holds averages of 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.0 minutes.

Hayes (elbow) will be available to play Saturday against the Rockets, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Hayes has been battling soreness in his elbow since Nov. 29, and while the loss kept him out of Thursday's loss against the Thunder, he should be available here. Hayes will find it difficult to see many minutes, as Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt will also return to action Saturday.

Hayes (elbow) is probable for Saturday's game against the Rockets, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Hayes has been battling soreness in his elbow since Nov. 29, and it kept him out of Thursday's game against the Thunder. Despite his expected availability, Hayes will find it difficult to see many minutes with Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt both returning to action Saturday.

Hayes (elbow) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Thunder.

Hayes is dealing with a sore left elbow after exiting Wednesday's game against the Pistons, and he'll be unavailable for the second half of the back-to-back set. Christian Wood could see additional run against the Thunder.

Hayes (elbow) is questionable for Thursday's game against Oklahoma City, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hayes exited Wednesday's game against the Pistons due to left elbow soreness and didn't return down the stretch. If he's unavailable for the second half of the back-to-back set, Christian Wood is a candidate to see an uptick in minutes.

Hayes won't return to Wednesday's game versus the Pistons due to left elbow soreness, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Hayes recorded one rebound and one block in seven minutes before exiting Wednesday's contest. Christian Wood will likely see increased minutes in his absence. Hayes' status for Thursday's matchup with the Thunder is uncertain.

Hayes poured in a season-high 11 points (4-4 FG, 3-4 FT) and added three blocks, one rebound, one assist and one steal in 21 minutes during Tuesday's 134-107 win over Memphis.

Thanks to the Lakers building an insurmountable lead early in the second half, Hayes ended up seeing more playing time than usual and was able to deliver his best overall line of the campaign. In more competitive games, Hayes will likely find himself outside of the rotation as the Lakers' No. 3 center behind Anthony Davis and Christian Wood.

Hayes (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Hayes was considered probable for Sunday's matchup, so it isn't very surprising to see him able to suit up against Portland. He's averaging 1.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game this season.

Hayes is probable for Sunday's game against Portland due to a left ankle sprain, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hayes continues to battle an ankle issue, but after missing two contests Monday and Thursday, it shouldn't force him to miss additional time. The team should have another update on his status closer to tip.

Hayes (ankle) is good to go for Friday's matchup with the Suns, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Hayes was upgraded from questionable to probable earlier in the day, so he was seemingly trending in this direction. Barring any setbacks, the big man will be available to provide depth in the frountcourt if needed.

Hayes (ankle) has been upgraded from questionable to probable for Friday's game against the Suns, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes was initially considered questionable for Friday's matchup after missing the last two games due to a sprained ankle, but he's trending in the right direction ahead of tipoff. However, Anthony Davis (hip/groin) has also been upgraded to probable, so it seems likely that Hayes' role would remain limited if both players are available.

Hayes (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against the Suns, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Hayes has missed the past two games for the Lakers, and that is really unfortunate timing with Anthony Davis still dealing with a groin issue. Hayes has made six appearances this season, but he's only averaging 9.2 minutes in those contests.

Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Rockets, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Hayes will miss a second consecutive game due to an ankle sprain. Anthony Davis (groin/hip) remains a game-time decision, but either way, Christian Wood should see an increased role again. Hayes' next chance to suit up will come Friday in Phoenix.

Hayes (ankle) is questionable Wednesday versus Houston, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Hayes is at risk of missing his second consecutive game due to a left ankle sprain. Christian Wood would continue seeing a larger role if Hayes is unable to go.

Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Heat, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes was questionable for Monday's matchup due to a left ankle sprain, and he'll be forced to miss at least one game. His next opportunity to return will be Wednesday against the Rockets, while Christian Wood should see an increased role Monday.

Hayes (ankle) is officially questionable for Monday's game against the Heat.

Hayes is dealing with a sprained left ankle, although the issue was unreported until Sunday afternoon's injury report. Christian Wood and Colin Castleton would handle backup center minutes if Hayes misses time.

Hayes totaled three points (1-1 FG, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one block across 14 minutes during Wednesday's 130-125 overtime win over the Clippers.

Hayes played a season-high 14 minutes in Wednesday's victory. However, the 23-year-old big man is behind Christian Wood in the depth chart for the backup center role and is averaging just 8.6 minutes per game.

Hayes is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's preseason game against the Kings, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes will replace Anthony Davis (rest) in the starting five Wednesday. Hayes is expected to compete with Christian Wood for the backup center position in his first year with the Lakers.

Hayes agreed to a two-year deal with the Lakers with a player option for 2024-25 on Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Hayes will head to Los Angeles after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Pelicans. In 2022-23, the 23-year-old big man saw a diminished role, averaging career-lows in points (5.0), rebounds (2.8) and minutes (13.0). However, Hayes should compete for the backup center job behind Anthony Davis.

The Pelicans didn't extend a qualifying offer to Hayes on Thursday, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

New Orleans will not be able to match any offer Hayes receives this summer. The 23-year-old big man averaged 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.0 minutes across 47 games for the Pelicans in 2022-23. Hayes is coming off the least productive season of his career, but his age and upside could cause a few teams to consider signing him on a cheap contract this offseason.

Hayes notched zero points (0-1 FG) and one rebound over three minutes during Tuesday's 121-103 loss to the Kings.

Hayes made it into the rotation for the first time in more than a week, failing to score in his three minutes. While there have been a couple of small flashes this season, Hayes is clearly not a part of the Pelicans' plans for the future. He is comfortably outside the top 350 for the season, telling you everything you need to know about his fantasy fortunes this season and beyond.

Hayes accumulated 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 32 minutes during Saturday's 110-96 loss to the Thunder.

Hayes needed two more rebounds to secure a double-double, and the big man was productive on both ends of the court with a solid stat-filling performance. He has struggled to see consistent minutes but seems to be turning things around of late and has made the most of his chances, putting up double-digit points in three of his last five appearances.

Hayes produced 15 points (4-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 7-8 FT), four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals over 16 minutes during Wednesday's 121-110 victory over Portland.

Hayes played 25 minutes during Monday's loss to Orlando but wasn't as productive as he was against the Trail Blazers, as he contributed on both ends of the court while matching his second-highest scoring total of the season. While Hayes should continue to see increased playing time while Larry Nance (ankle) is sidelined, his production will likely be inconsistent, particularly when Jonas Valanciunas (calf) returns to action.

Hayes produced six points (3-4 FG), five rebounds and two steals across 25 minutes in Monday's 101-93 loss to the Magic.

After Larry Nance (ankle) exited early in the Pelicans' previous game Saturday against the Knicks, Willy Hernangomez (nine points, eight rebounds and three steals in 11 minutes) stepped in to fill most of the playing time that was available behind starting center Jonas Valanciunas. Though Nance was sidelined again Monday, head coach Willie Green opted to turn to Hayes as the backup center over Hernangomez, who didn't leave the bench. Because both of the Magic's centers (Wendell Carter and Moritz Wagner) offered some floor-stretching ability, Green may have preferred the more athletic Hayes to chase the opposing bigs around the perimeter, but Hernangomez could be more of a factor when New Orleans matches up with more traditional back-to-the-basket centers. In any event, both Hayes and Hernangomez are likely to find themselves out of the rotation whenever Nance is ready to play again.

Hayes finished Sunday's 136-104 win over the Kings with six points (2-5 FG, 2-3 3Pt), four rebounds and four steals in 19 minutes.

The absences of Jonas Valanciunas (quadriceps) and Brandon Ingram (toe) paved the way for Willy Hernangomez and Hayes to crack the rotation, after both failed to get off the bench in the previous two and three games, respectively. Hernangomez (22 points, 16 rebounds, four assists in 28 minutes) and to a lesser degree Hayes both came away with intriguing fantasy lines Sunday, but the blowout played a factor, as only two Pelicans starters logged more than 30 minutes. Valanciunas may miss additional games beyond Sunday, but assuming Ingram is back in the fold Tuesday against the Hawks, the Pelicans likely won't have room in the rotation for both Hayes and Hernangomez.

Hayes isn't starting Wednesday's game against Minnesota, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes drew a spot start Tuesday, but he totaled just four points, four rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes. He'll return to the bench with Brandon Ingram (toe) back in the starting lineup for the first time since Nov. 25.

Hayes finished with four points (0-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes during Tuesday's 99-98 loss to Denver.

Hayes moved into the starting lineup Tuesday but struggled to have any sort of impact on the game. This was basically a case of the next man up for Hayes, coming in as a result of injuries to multiple players. Even when handed meaningful minutes, Hayes is typically not a viable fantasy option, even in slightly deeper formats.

Hayes is starting Tuesday's game against the Nuggets, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Hayes will get a turn with the first unit with Zion Williamson (hamstring), Brandon Ingram (toe) and Naji Marshall all out of the mix. Hayes has made only one other start this season, which dates back to Dec. 26 against Indiana.

Hayes finished with 14 points (6-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), six rebounds and one assist in 17 minutes during Friday's 123-110 loss to the Magic.

Hayes scored double-digits for the first time in almost three weeks, highlighting just what a struggle it has been thus far this season. Even with multiple players being out, Hayes has been unable to carve out a significant role, typically playing no more than about 18 minutes on any given night. At this point, he should be viewed as nothing more than a deeper league consideration.

Hayes recorded 10 points (3-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 19 minutes during Monday's 120-111 loss to the 76ers.

Hayes saw at least 19 minutes for the fifth time in his past six games, continuing what has been easily his best stretch of the season thus far. While his production has been serviceable at best, he could be in line for a slight uptick in playing time, assuming Zion Williamson misses time due to his hamstring injury suffered in the loss. Managers in deeper formats should definitely give Hayes a look, while those in 12-team leagues could put him on their radar.

Hayes isn't in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Minnesota, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Zion Williamson will reclaim his starting job from Hayes Wednesday after missing the last three games with COVID-19. Hayes is averaging 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks in 23.7 over that span.

Hayes racked up 15 points (5-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks across 31 minutes during Monday's 113-93 win over the Pacers.

Hayes moved into the starting lineup Monday, logging a season-high 31 minutes in the process. The Pelicans were without a number of regular rotational pieces meaning Hayes stepped into a sizeable role for the second straight game. While he can be a stream consideration, even in 12-team formats, his run is likely to come to a grinding halt as soon as the team starts getting healthy bodies back on the floor.

Hayes is in the starting five Monday against Indiana.

Hayes is getting the starting nod for the first time this year. Off the bench, the center has averaged 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 9.4 minutes.

Hayes closed with 21 points (8-9 FG, 5-8 FT), six rebounds and four assists over 28 minutes during Friday's 128-125 overtime victory over the Thunder.

Hayes posted season-highs in points, rebounds, assists and minutes Friday. However, fantasy managers shouldn't get too excited unless Zion Williamson (COVID-19) misses extended time, as Hayes has been out of the Pelicans' rotation for much of the season.

Hayes (elbow) is available for Sunday's game against the Jazz, Erin Summers of Bally Sports New Orleans reports.

Hayes missed the first two games of the year due to his elbow injury but will be available to make his season debut against Utah. It's not clear whether he'll face any restrictions Sunday.

Hayes (elbow) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jazz.

Hayes has missed the first two games of the season. If he returns Sunday, fewer minutes could be in store for Naji Marshall and Larry Nance.

Hayes (elbow) is out Friday at Charlotte.

Hayes will have to wait to debut as he recovers from a torn UCL. His next chance to play arrives Sunday against the Jazz.

Hayes (elbow) is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus Charlotte.

Hayes missed the team's season opener due to a torn UCL he suffered Oct. 7. Hayes was also listed as questionable Wednesday, so it is still up in the air if he will play Friday. Larry Nance and Naji Marshall played 21 and 14 minutes, respectively, with the fourth-year big man missing from the frontcourt rotation Wednesday.

Hayes (elbow) won't play in Wednesday's season opener against the Nets.

Hayes' status for the regular-season opener was updated to questionable earlier in the day, but it appears he won't play against the Nets after all due to the torn UCL he suffered Oct. 7. His next chance to make his 2022-23 debut will be Friday against the Hornets.

Hayes (elbow) is questionable for Wednesday's season opener at Brooklyn.

Hayes may be a bit ahead of schedule in his recovery, and he'll presumably test things out pregame before determining whether or not he'll play. If he's out, expect more action from Willy Hernangomez, Larry Nance and potentially Naji Marshall.

Hayes (elbow) suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow in Friday's preseason matchup with the Pistons and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Hayes was able to tally two points, six rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes before suffering an elbow injury. With him being re-evaluated in two weeks, Hayes is likely to miss at least the first two games of the Pelicans' regular season. Willy Hernangomez and Larry Nance could see extra minutes as a result.

Hayes posted four points (1-2 FG, 2-5 FT) and one rebound across 11 minutes during Sunday's 110-99 loss to the Suns.

Hayes started at his usual spot next to Jonas Valanciunas, but he saw a notably smaller workload as coach Willie Green utilized Trey Murphy (26 minutes), Naji Marshall (15) and Larry Nance (20) off the bench. We'll see how Green handles his rotation for Game 2, but with the Pelicans in need of a major spark against the league's best team, all options will be on the table.

Hayes notched 23 points (10-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 29 minutes during Tuesday's 123-109 win over Sacramento.

Hayes recorded his second-straight double-double during Wednesday's win. His scoring and rebounding totals were both season-highs for Hayes, who cements his role as a starter with every game. He should retain his starting role as the team enters the playoffs.

Hayes closed with 12 points (4-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 22 minutes during Sunday's 119-100 loss to the Clippers.

The Pelicans were essentially blitzed from start to finish Sunday, but Hayes was able to manage a respectable stat line despite finishing just 4-of-12 from the field. The third-year big man has started the last 20 games and will likely finish out the final four games of the regular season in that role alongside Jonas Valanciunas.

Hayes suffered a dislocated left index finger early in Sunday's contest against the Lakers, but he returned to the game after briefly exiting, Andrew Lopez of ESPN reports.

The injury happened on one of the first possessions of the game, and while Hayes initially retreated back to the locker room, he was able to reset the finger and return to action early in the second quarter. It doesn't look to be anything overly concerning, but Hayes could be dealing with significant swelling and discomfort over the next few days, so his status will be worth monitoring heading into next week.

Hayes provided nine points (3-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block in 38 minutes during Monday's 106-103 loss to the Hornets.

Hayes was coming off a double-double Sunday against Atlanta, and he put together another decent showing in Charlotte. He's now secured seven or more rebounds in each of his last three games after failing to hit that mark in seven of his first games of the month. Hayes also fell one point shy of extending his double-figure scoring streak, as he had scored 10 or more in each of his last five heading into Monday's matchup.

Hayes contributed 16 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, three blocks and one steal across 28 minutes during Friday's 124-91 win over San Antonio.

Hayes went wild in the first period against an overmatched Spurs frontcourt, outscoring San Antonio by himself with 12 points. The big man didn't make much offensive noise the rest of the way but finished with a strong overall stat line that included three blocked shots. Hayes has scored in double-digits in four straight contests and has notched at least four rebounds and one swat in each game during that stretch.

Hayes ended with 21 points (6-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 7-9 FT), six rebounds, one block and two steals across 27 minutes during Sunday's 130-105 win over the Rockets.

Hayes turned in an improved performance Sunday, checking all the boxes after a period of mediocre production. Over the past two weeks, Hayes has only been able to put up averages of 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 0.5 blocks, less than adequate for anyone in standard leagues. His path to minutes is relatively clear at the moment and so he needs only to improve his consistency. Despite an element of risk, he remains a viable asset across most formats.

Hayes supplied five points (2-4 FG, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one block over 23 minutes during Friday's 124-90 victory over the Jazz.

Hayes remained in the starting lineup but cooled off during Friday's victory. Since being promoted, Hayes has been able to provide solid 12-team production, proving to be a sneaky addition in competitive leagues. The minutes were also down here, thanks primarily to the fact the game was a blowout. The Pelicans will face the Nuggets on Sunday and there is no reason to think Hayes' role will change at all.

Hayes logged nine points (3-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 17 minutes during Friday's 117-102 victory over Phoenix.

Hayes remained in the starting lineup but picked up three early fouls, limiting him to just 17 minutes. With that being said, he did still manage to put up a serviceable fantasy line, scoring efficiently, grabbing some boards and swatting a couple of shots. It appears he is going to stick with the opening five and so he is certainly worth adding in most competitive formats.

Hayes ended Thursday's 125-118 loss to the Mavericks with 18 points (6-9 FG, 6-7 FT), six rebounds and one steal across 26 minutes.

Hayes shifted back into the starting lineup, turning in yet another intriguing performance. He has been one of the more talked about fringe options over the past two weeks, thanks to his increased role. While he did start the game, he was not in the closing lineup and so that needs to be factored in when breaking down this effort. Despite an element of doubt when it comes to his exact role, he should probably be added in most formats.

Hayes is starting Thursday's game against Dallas, Erin Summers of Bally Sports New Orleans reports.

Hayes is set to draw his first start since Feb. 8 when he got the starting nod against Houston. He'll replace Devonte' Graham in the starting five as New Orleans will roll out a bigger first unit Thursday evening.

Hayes logged 13 points (6-6 FG, 1-3 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 29 minutes during Tuesday's 121-109 loss to the Grizzlies.

Hayes was perfect from the field en route to his second consecutive double-digit scoring performance. The third-year big man played his most minutes (29) as a reserve this season, but Jonas Valanciunas and Willy Hernangomez were also just as productive in fewer minutes. Across eight games (three starts) in February, Hayes has averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 26.1 minutes.

Hayes closed with four points (2-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and one rebound across 20 minutes during Saturday's 124-114 loss to San Antonio.

Hayes had a nice run as a fill-in starter earlier in the month, but he's combined for just eight points, two rebounds and no defensive stats over his last two games (37 total minutes). With the Pelicans apparently shifting toward pushing for a playoff spot, Hayes' opportunities could be somewhat limited going forward. The 2019 lottery pick still has some appeal long-term, but it's a bit concerning that he's more than two-and-a-half years into his career and the Pelicans are yet to view him as a starting-caliber option.

Hayes will come off the bench Thursday against the Heat.

Hayes started four of the past five games and averaged 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.6 blocks during that stretch, but he'll move to the bench with CJ McCollum starting in his debut for the Pelicans. Hayes should still be the top frontcourt option off the bench for New Orleans.

Hayes ended with 14 points (4-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 36 minutes during Tuesday's 110-97 victory over the Rockets.

Earlier in the season, it seemed like the Pelicans weren't going to feature Hayes much at all, but he's found his stride lately and has even been playing next to Jonas Valanciunas. That said, Hayes will presumably shift back to the bench once CJ McCollum (recently traded) is available, so fantasy managers should be wary regarding Hayes' upside.

Hayes will start Tuesday's game against the Rockets.

With Josh Hart (traded) gone, Hayes will get the nod until CJ McCollum is ready to debut. In Hayes' previous three starts this season, he's averaged 15.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 assists in 30.0 minutes.

Hayes notched 21 points (8-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 28 minutes during Sunday's 120-107 win over the Rockets.

Hayes was coming off three straight starts and while he shifted back to the bench, he continued to produce. He's now scored at least 19 points in three of his last four contests and is undoubtedly going through his best stretch of the campaign. The third-year big man has also scored in double digits in six of his last eight games while logging 23.8 minutes per tilt in that span.

Hayes will return to the bench for Sunday's game against Houston, Pelicans broadcaster Erin Summers reports.

After starting the last three games, Hayes will head back to the bench as the Pelicans have both Josh Hart (knee) and Brandon Ingram back healthy. Hayes showed plenty of encouraging flashes during that three-game run, which he capped off with 22 points, 11 rebounds, one block and one steal Friday night in Denver. If the Pelicans fall out of playoff contention and turn to more of a youth-oriented rotation, the 2019 lottery pick will be a name to monitor closely.

Hayes finished with 22 points (9-9 FG, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 33 minutes during Friday's 113-105 win over Denver.

Hayes remained in the starting lineup Friday, walking away with his best performance of the season. He was perfect from both the floor and the stripe, something that is obviously not sustainable moving forward. However, what might be sustainable is his current playing time. Over the past three games, he is averaging 30 minutes per night, enough to warrant taking a flier in standard leagues.

Hayes contributed 19 points (9-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt), seven rebounds and three blocks over 31 minutes during Monday's 93-90 loss to Cleveland.

Starting his first game of the season, Hayes was an efficient, two-way force -- leading the Pelicans' starters with a plus-two in the box score. While it's unlikely that the starting combo of Hayes and Valanciunas is used often, a bump in Hayes' playing time is realistic as New Orleans falls deeper out of the playoff picture.

Hayes will start Monday's game against the Cavs, Pelicans studio host Daniel Sallerson reports.

In the midst of a three-game losing streak, the Pelicans will mix things up and go with both Hayes and Jonas Valanciunas in the frontcourt for the first time this season to combat the Cavs' duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. It'll mark Hayes' first start of the season. Over his last nine games, he's averaged 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 17.3 minutes.

Hayes had 15 points (6-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-5 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal across 22 minutes during Tuesday's 117-107 loss to the 76ers.

Hayes had a larger role off the bench Tuesday with Jonas Valanciunas (rest) sitting out, but it was Willy Hernangomez that received the start and served as New Orleans' primary center. Hayes has 29 points (12-for-20 FG, 5-7 FT) and 12 rebounds in 39 minutes across the past two games and should continue to operate as the reserve center.

Hayes registered 14 points (6-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and two steals across 17 minutes during Monday's 117-113 victory over the Pacers.

Hayes was a force during his brief time on the court, finishing with his highest point and rebound total since Jan. 1. The New Year's Day contest was the last time Hayes has logged more than 20 minutes in a game, which has kept him from getting much traction in real life or in fantasy. Despite his backup role, Hayes has produced double-digit points in four of his past six contests.

Hayes ended with 13 points (5-5 FG, 3-5 FT), one rebound and one steal in 19 minutes during Tuesday's 128-125 win over Minnesota.

Hayes had a nice offensive outing Tuesday but failed to add any meaningful complementary numbers. After a brief period in which he flirted with backend 12-team value, Hayes has regressed in recent times and can now safely be left for those in deeper formats only.

Hayes posted a season-high 23 points (9-12 FG, 5-5 FT) and added seven rebounds, one assist and one block in 28 minutes off the bench Saturday in the Pelicans' 136-113 loss to the Bucks.

Though Willy Hernangomez stepped into the starting five for the third time in four games with Jonas Valanciunas (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) ruled out, Hayes was the New Orleans center that dominated the playing time and submitted the better fantasy line. While Hayes' performance will surely attract some attention in deeper leagues and even in 12-team formats, he could easily find himself in a much smaller role or outside of the rotation entirely early on during the upcoming week. Valanciunas has been upgraded to questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Jazz and could immediately step back into a 30-minute starting role if he clears the necessary protocols and the Pelicans are satisfied with his conditioning.

Hayes logged two points (1-1 FG) and three rebounds in 15 minutes before fouling out of Thursday's 110-104 victory over Orlando.

Hayes has been usurped by Herbert Jones and Josh Hart for frontcourt minutes, as the Pelicans have elected to play smaller. Even with Jonas Valanciunas out (illness), Hayes still doesn't see meaningful run off the bench. It's possible that New Orleans' brass has soured on Hayes. The 21-year-old can be stashed in dynasties but shouldn't warrant a look elsewhere.

Hayes was recalled to the Pelicans on Tuesday, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes notched 17 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks during Birmingham's win over Memphis on Monday. Through 20 appearances with the Pelicans, the 2019 first-round pick is averaging 5.6 points and 3.2 rebounds across 11.7 minutes per game.

Hayes was recalled to the Pelicans on Wednesday, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes led Birmingham with 30 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks during their win Tuesday. Now back with New Orleans, he will likely assume his usual backup center duties.

Hayes amassed 15 points (5-6 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal in eight minutes during Saturday's 127-105 loss to the Jazz.

In a telling sign of how badly New Orleans played in the contest -- at one point, Utah held a 40-point lead -- Hayes came off the bench to lead the team in scoring despite logging only eight minutes. It was easily Hayes' best offensive effort of the campaign, as he had notched double-digit points just once entering Saturday. Hayes has seen his role decrease considerably in his third NBA campaign, averaging 6.1 points and 3.4 boards over just 12.5 minutes per contest.

Hayes finished Wednesday's loss to the Hawks with eight points (3-3 FG, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and a block.

The backup big man continues to see limited action behind Jonas Valanciunas, who's playing by far the most minutes of his career to begin his tenure in New Orleans. Hayes' upside as a shot-blocker could keep him on the radar in deeper leagues, but he'd likely need an injury to Valanciunas to truly achieve fantasy relevance.

Hayes (ankle) will be available for Wednesday's season opener against the 76ers, Andrew Lopez of ESPN reports.

The big man rolled his ankle during the Pels' preseason opener back on Oct. 4, but he returned to practice recently and put in full sessions on both Monday and Tuesday. The 2019 lottery pick will battle Willy Hernangomez for backup center minutes behind Jonas Valanciunas.

Hayes (ankle) was a full participant in Monday's practice, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes has been sidelined since Oct. 4 with an ankle injury, but he appears on track to play in the Pelicans' regular-season opener Oct. 20. The 6-foot-11 center will likely serve as role player behind Jonas Valanciunas during the 2021-22 campaign.

Hayes' fourth-year option was exercised by New Orleans on Thursday.

The 6-foot-11 big's fourth-year option was exercised by the team Thursday, locking in Hayes under contract for next year's season. The Texas product is currently practicing in limited fashion with the team while dealing with an ankle injury as he hopes to be ready for the team's Oct. 20 season opener against Philadelphia.

Hayes (ankle) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, but he hopes to be ready for Opening Night, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Hayes injured himself during a preseason game against the Timberwolves on Oct. 4. The 6-foot-11 center appears to be progressing well and may be available for the Pelicans' regular season opener Oct. 20.

Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Jazz, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Hayes has been dealing with an ankle injury since Oct. 4 when he injured himself in a preseason game against the Timberwolves. He will miss the Pelicans' final preseason game and there hasn't been any update if he'll be ready to go for the regular-season opener against the 76ers on Oct. 20.

Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's preseason game against the Bulls.

Hayes was seen in a walking boot during Tuesday's practice, and Willy Hernangomez should see increased run against Chicago. The 21-year-old's next chance to return will be Monday against the Jazz.

Hayes (ankle) is considered day-to-day after not practicing Tuesday, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Hayes injured his ankle during Monday's preseason opener, but his X-rays came back negative. The Pelicans will likely be cautious with the 21-year-old, but he is considered a game-time decision for Wednesday's contest against the Magic.

Hayes limped off the court during Monday's preseason game against the Timberwolves after suffering a left leg injury, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reports.

As Krawczynski notes, Hayes wasn't able to put much pressure on his left foot as he left the court, but the exact diagnosis is unclear at this time. Will Guillory of The Athletic later reported that X-rays on Hayes' left ankle came back negative, which is a good sign for the big man.

Hayes was arrested early Wednesday after an altercation with police, Christian Clark of NOLA.com reports.

Police were called to a home in Los Angeles early Wednesday. Hayes was there, and he tried to bar the police from entering, which resulted in an altercation. Hayes was taken to a hospital and treated for minor injuries. It's not immediately clear if this incident will impact Hayes' availability for the start of next season.

Hayes was diagnosed with a right leg contusion after he exited in the second half of Sunday's 110-98 loss to the Lakers, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Before departing, Hayes logged 20 minutes and finished with 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one steal. The injury doesn't look like anything that will affect his preparation for the 2021-22 season, when Hayes will be looking to hold down a more prominent role in the rotation. The 2019 lottery pick was playing his best basketball of his young career in May, averaging 13.8 points (on 56.5/75.8/42.9 percent shooting splits), 6.4 boards, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 assists in 22.6 minutes per game over nine appearances on the month.

Hayes totaled 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and a steal over 20 minutes Sunday in a loss to the Lakers.

The reserve center finished the season on a high note, notching double-digit points in each of his final six contests and posting per-game averages of 15.7 points, 6.5 boards and 1.7 blocks over that stretch. His overall season averages of 7.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks are nearly identical to his rookie-year marks, so Hayes will look to make a bigger leap in his age-21 campaign next season.

Hayes accumulated 19 points (7-14 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-8 FT) and eight rebounds in 24 minutes during Friday's 125-122 loss to the Warriors.

The 20-year-old came two rebounds shy of his first double-double of the season. Hayes has now scored double-digit points in five straight games, a span in which he's averaging 16.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while shooting 52.5 percent from the field in 23.9 minutes. The second-year center will look to continue his stellar play off the bench Sunday at home against the Lakers.

Hayes scored 15 points (4-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 7-8 FT) while adding six rebounds, a steal and a block across 22 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's loss against the Mavericks.

Hayes has been coming off the bench regularly as the backup of Willy Hernangomez, but he's been playing lights out of late and has scored at least 13 points in four straight games. He's averaging 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks across 24 minutes per game during that span.

Hayes had 18 points (8-11 FG, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds and six blocks in Sunday night's win over the Hornets.

Hayes once again saw an elevated role in the absence of Steven Adams (toe), as he split time (26 minutes) with starter Willy Hernangomez (22 minutes). Both players were productive fantasy options Sunday, and Hayes will continue to hold plenty of appeal as the regular season comes to a close. Hayes finished Friday's loss to the 76ers with 19 points, eight boards, three assists, three blocks and a steal in 24 minutes.

Hayes played 24 minutes off the bench and totaled 19 points (8-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, three blocks and a steal during Friday's 109-107 loss to the 76ers.

Though Hayes came off the bench, he and Willy Hernangomez each played 24 minutes and both played relatively well considering they had their hands full with Joel Embiid. Hayes led the Pelicans in scoring, field goals made, offensive rebounds and blocks while attempting six more shots than Hernangomez. Given that the Pelicans are getting hit with injuries, Hayes could continue to see a decent amount of playing time.

Hayes recorded 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-3 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one steal across 21 minutes during Thursday's 135-100 win over Orlando.

Hayes started the second half as Steven Adams (ankle) was limited to half of Thursday's game, and as a result, he saw his heaviest workload in about two weeks. If Adams has to miss any time, Hayes would be a candidate to potentially start.

Hayes (back) will play Sunday against the Knicks, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.

Hayes has been dealing with back spasms that limited his play in Friday's game against Detroit, but he will be in action Sunday. He had been averaging 19.1 minutes per game in his previous five games before the back issue arose.

Hayes (back) is probable for Sunday's matchup against the Knicks.

Hayes left Friday's game against the Pistons due to back spasms, but he should return Sunday. This month, he's averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19.3 minutes.

Hayes will not return to Friday's matchup with the Pistons due to back spasms, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Hayes did not have any back issues reported prior to the game. He accumulated three points (0-1 FG, 3-4 FT), one rebound and one assist across nine minutes before exiting. It remains to be seen how this issue will affect his status for Sunday's game against the Knicks.

Hayes scored eight points (4-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT) to go along with seven rebounds and three steals across 21 minutes in Monday's win over the Kings.

Hayes topped 20 minutes for the fourth time in his last nine games and delivered a familiar line with decent scoring and rebounding numbers. More impressive were his defensive contributions, as he tallied multiple steals in a game for only the second time this season. While Hayes is averaging only 14.8 minutes per game on the campaign, that number has bumped up 20.7 across his last nine games. In that stretch, he's averaged 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks per contest.

Hayes (ankle) is off the injury report for Wednesday's matchup against the Nets.

Hayes suffered an ankle injury during Tuesday's loss to the Hawks, but he's apparently healthy enough to play just one day later. Since the start of March, he's averaged 8.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 17.6 minutes.

Hayes suffered an ankle injury during Tuesday's game against the Hawks, Eliot Clough of the Pelicans Plus podcast reports.

Hayes ended up playing 17 minutes in the game, but he went to the locker room due to the injury and never got back on the court. His status for Wednesday's game against the Nets is certainly in jeopardy.

Hayes will shift back to the bench for Tuesday's game against the Hawks, Pelicans sideline reporter Jen Hale reports.

With Zion Williamson back from a three-game injury absence, he'll replace Hayes in the starting lineup. The Pelicans will still be without Brandon Ingram (toe), so James Johnson will get the nod at the other forward spot.

Hayes averaged 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in 28.0 minutes per game while starting in both of the Pelicans' last two games.

Though Hayes saw a solid amount of minutes in a loss to the Hawks on Friday and a win over the Rockets on Sunday, he proved to be a clunky fit next to Steven Adams in the latter game. While starting at power forward, Hayes converted just four of his 12 shot attempts from the field. Head coach Stan Van Gundy said after the contest that Adams was placed in the concussion protocol, so Hayes could get the chance to shift back over to center Tuesday against the Hawks if Adams isn't cleared to play ahead of that game.

Hayes is in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockets, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Steven Adams (ankle) will also be in the starting five, as the Pelicans go with a bigger lineup featuring a pair of centers up front. James Johnson will start at the other forward spot, while Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball comprise the starting backcourt.

Hayes will start at center in Friday's matchup with the Hawks,Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.

Hayes will replace Steven Adams (ankle) in the starting lineup. He recorded seven points and four rebounds across 11.3 minutes in his only other start this season.

Hayes (wrist) will be available for Monday's game against the Celtics.

A sprained wrist kept Hayes out of Saturday's game against Dallas, but he won't miss any additional time. The backup center typically sees 15-to-20 minutes behind Steven Adams, but it hasn't been enough to push him toward fantasy relevance this season.

Hayes (wrist) is now listed as probable for Monday's game against the Celtics.

A sprained wrist, sustained during Friday's loss to the Nuggets, kept Hayes sidelined Saturday against Dallas, but it looks like he'll be back in the mix Monday as the primary backup to Steven Adams. In seven healthy games since the break, Hayes is averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.6 blocks in 16.9 minutes. That's not enough to warrant fantasy attention in most leagues, but Hayes remains a player to keep an eye on in dynasty formats.

Hayes (wrist) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against Boston.

A sprained right wrist kept the second-year big man out of Saturday's win over Dallas, and the Pels will wait to see how he responds before ruling on his status for Monday's game. Hayes has held onto a consistent role off the bench since the All-Star break, averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 16.9 minutes over seven healthy games.

Hayes (wrist) is out Saturday against the Mavericks, Daniel Sallerson of the Pelicans Radio Network reports.

A sprained right wrist will keep the sophomore big man sidelined. In his absence, Willy Hernangomez figures to see extra time as Steven Adams' backup.

Hayes is questionable for Saturday's game against Dallas due to a right wrist sprain, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.

The center likely picked up the injury sometime during the Pelicans' game against the Nuggets on Friday. Hayes totaled two points and two rebounds across seven minutes of action in the loss. If Hayes is ultimately ruled out, expect Willy Hernangomez to see an increased role behind starter Steven Adams.

Hayes posted 15 points (4-6 FG, 7-7 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 19 minutes during Tuesday's 128-111 victory over the Lakers.

Hayes has been in a reduced, inconsistent role as a sophomore. However, he got an opportunity to pop off against a shorthanded Lakers team Tuesday, and he scored in double-digits for the seventh time in 2020-21. Unless Steven Adams misses significant time, Hayes will continue to only be relevant in very deep fantasy leagues.

Hayes scored 17 points (6-6 FG, 5-5 FT) and added three rebounds along with a steal and a blocked shot across 24 minutes in a 135-115 win over the Clippers on Sunday.

Hayes was perfect from both the floor and the free-throw line en route to his best scoring game of the campaign. The second-year center has enjoyed a solid two-game stretch, averaging 15.0 points and 4.5 rebounds across 22 minutes while going 11-for-12 from the field. His efficient shooting may allowing him to earn more opportunities; though his playing time has been limited throughout the campaign, Hayes is shooting an outstanding 72.9 percent from the field on the season.

Hayes posted 13 points (5-6 FG, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block in 20 minutes during Friday's 116-82 win against the Cavaliers.

The 20-year-old scored a season-high 13 points while matching his season-high in minutes. After not seeing the floor between Feb. 24 - Mar. 1, Hayes has played four games in a row, averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while hovering around 16 minutes in the span. Hayes' fantasy production will be too inconsistent to trust as long as Steven Adams is healthy.

Hayes didn't see the floor during Wednesday's win over Detroit.

The center's absence in this one was his first in four games, as Hayes was averaging 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.8 minutes over his past four appearances. After a promising rookie campaign, Hayes is currently suffering setbacks in nearly every category including points, rebounds and blocks.

Hayes will come off the bench Wednesday against the Suns.

The 20-year-old received the start Monday but ended up playing only 11 minutes, and he'll return to the bench with Steven Adams (calf) back from a one-game absence. Hayes should reclaim his usual role as New Orleans' reserve center.

Hayes will start Monday's game against the Kings at center, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.

Hayes is averaging 5.2 points and 3.4 rebounds off the bench in his last 10 contests. He'll be filling in for the injured Steven Adams (calf) on Monday.

Hayes finished with 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-3 FT), and six boards in 16 minutes of a 128-123 win against the Kings on Sunday.

Hayes turned in his best scoring outing of the season in the win, and also chipped in off the glass. The second year man still has areas in which he can improve his contribution, but he'll need to continue to see consistent playing time to make that leap. He'll play the Jazz on Tuesday.

Hayes tallied nine points (4-5 FG, 1-1 FT), five rebounds and one block across 14 minutes during a loss to the Pacers on Monday.

Hayes has been seeing limited bench action this season, so much so that the nine points marked a season high for him. The 20-year-old center is seeing less playing time so far this season (11.9 minutes per game) compared to last year (16.9 minutes per game) after the team's acquisition of Steven Adams. Across the first seven games, Hayes is posting uninspiring averages of 3.0 points on 50.0 percent shooting, 4.3 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game.

Hayes will start Tuesday's matchup against the Kings.

With the Pelicans eliminated from playoff contention, coach Alvin Gentry will give Hayes the nod over the veteran Derrick Favors. In Hayes' previous 12 starts, he's averaged 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes.

Hayes had 17 points (5-7 FG, 7-11 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 21 minutes during Monday's 124-103 scrimmage win over the Bucks.

Hayes was extremely effective around the basket while repeatedly drawing fouls. He's still lacking in the strength department, which shows in the consistently low rebounding totals. However, Hayes has flashed plenty of potential in this his rookie season and could continue to receive decent burn given that Derrick Favors doesn't often play heavy minutes.

Hayes logged just three minutes in Sunday's 115-101 victory over the Warriors. He was charged with a foul and accrued no other statistics.

Hayes has played fewer than 10 minutes in four of the past five games and probably won't see his role grow in any substantial way unless Derrick Favors falls victim to injury. Even when Favors is off the court, coach Alvin Gentry has shown an increased willingness to use either Zion Williamson or Nicolo Melli as a small-ball center, minimizing Hayes' playing time as a result.

Hayes had eight points (3-5 FG, 2-3 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one block in 15 minutes during Tuesday's 125-111 win over the Cavaliers.

Hayes has averaged just over 12 minutes per game through the first four tilts in which Zion Williamson has suited up. Williamson has already been spending some time at the center position, but even on nights when that's not the case Derrick Favors and Nicolo Melli provide plenty of competition for playing time.

Hayes is in the starting lineup for Monday's contest against Memphis, Chris Herrington of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

With Derrick Favors (back) ruled out Monday, Hayes will nonetheless join the starting five and likely seize an increased role. In 11 total starts this season, the rookie is averaging 25.9 minutes, 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per outing.

Hayes produced 20 points (9-13 FG, 2-5 FT), two rebounds, two blocks and one assist in 26 minutes during Saturday's 140-105 loss to the Celtics.

Hayes drew the start in place of Derrick Favors (hamstring) and finished with a career high in scoring. He has connected on 29-of-39 from the field (74.4 percent) through the first six games here in January, and if Favors remains sidelined for Monday's matchup versus the Pistons, Hayes can be expected to start once again.

Hayes is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game at Boston, Celtics' broadcaster Sean Grande reports.

Derrick Favors (hamstring) is out Saturday, pushing Hayes into the starting role for the first time since Dec. 7. Hayes averaged 10.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 26.0 minutes over his 10 previous starts this season.

Hayes scored 18 points (7-8 FG, 4-9 FT) while adding 10 rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal in 29 minutes off the bench during Friday's 123-111 win over the Knicks.

The rookie center delivered his second straight double-double and third of the year in one of his best all-around performances so far. Hayes' minutes and production have been spotty aside from his defensive efforts -- he's averaging 1.6 blocks in only 16.7 minutes over the last 10 games -- and he could soon have additional competition for court time once Zion Williamson (knee) is ready to make his debut, but Hayes' own skills and upside should keep him in a fairly consistent role on the second unit.

Hayes logged 14 points (7-10 FG), 12 rebounds and four blocks in 24 minutes off the bench Wednesday in the Pelicans' 123-108 win over the Bulls.

Hayes excelled early on in the contest against a defensively challenged Bulls frontcourt that was missing Wendell Carter (ankle), prompting coach Alvin Gentry to reward the rookie with an even share of the center minutes with starter Derrick Favors. Considering Hayes had only averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14.0 minutes over his prior five outings, it's probably not worth reading too much into Wednesday's blowup performance. Given how well the Pelicans have fared since Favors returned from an extended personal leave in mid-December, Gentry likely won't marginalize him in favor of Hayes most nights.

Hayes (ribs) is not listed on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Clippers.

Hayes exited Monday's game against the Rockets in the first half with a rib injury and ultimately didn't return, though the issue won't impact his availability for Thursday's clash. Prior to his abbreviated appearance Monday, Hayes posted averages of 5.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 15.8 minutes across the first four games of the month.

Hayes is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Rockets due to a rib injury, Jennifer Hale of Fox Sports New Orleans reports.

According to Hale, Hayes was hit in the ribs during the first half and was spotted receiving treatment on the bench shortly after. Jahlil Okafor and Nicolo Melli could see a slight uptick in minutes if Hayes is unable to return.

Hayes (undisclosed) is no longer listed on the team's injury report heading into Monday's preseason game against the Hawks.

Hayes had been battling an undisclosed injury early in the preseason, but he appears to have been cleared prior to Monday's exhibition. He figures to see time at center along with Derrick Favors and Jahlil Okafor