Hayes (knee) 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.
After missing the Lakers' previous four games due to a right knee contusion, Hayes took back his spot in the starting five and saw seemingly operating with no restrictions. Though he struggled from the free-throw line, Hayes' elite efficiency in the paint helped him match his season-best total in scoring, which he supplemented with a pair of defensive counters. Hayes will likely lose out on some touches once the Lakers are back to full strength, but he could see a slight boost in fantasy value in the short term until the team gets LeBron James (groin) and Rui Hachimura (knee) back from injury.
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Lakers' Austin Reaves: Strong from deep to boost offense
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Reaves amassed 28 points (10-21 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals across 39 minutes during Sunday's 107-96 victory over the Suns.
Reaves provided a nice lift to Los Angeles in Sunday's contest, stepping up alongside Luka Doncic while LeBron James remains out of the lineup. Reaves connected on a team-high-tying mark from three while finishing two points shy of the 30-point mark in a well-rounded outing. Reaves has tallied at least 28 points in seven contests, connecting on four or more threes in 17 outings this season.
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Lakers' Luka Doncic: Does it all in return to action
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Doncic ended Sunday's 107-96 victory over the Suns with 33 points (8-20 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 13-14 FT), 11 rebounds, eight assists and two steals over 40 minutes.
Doncic returned Sunday after missing Los Angeles's previous contest, putting on a show by leading all Lakers in scoring, rebounds and assists to go along with a team-high-tying pair of steals in a winning effort. Doncic has picked up his play as of late as he becomes more comfortable in Los Angeles, posting his second outing in a Lakers uniform with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt: Retreating to bench vs. Phoenix
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Vanderbilt will come off the bench during Sunday's game against the Suns, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
Dorian Finney-Smith will return from a one-game absence, pushing Vanderbilt to the second unit. Over his last 10 outings (two starts), the 25-year-old has averaged 6.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals across 19.6 minutes per contest.
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Lakers' Alex Len: Retreats to bench
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Len won't start Sunday's game against the Suns, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
With Jaxson Hayes (knee) sidelined, Len drew three straight starts but failed to make an impact, totaling four points, 10 rebounds and four assists in 44 minutes. Len wasn't part of the regular rotation before Hayes' injury, but the former should have a role Sunday, as Trey Jemison (illness) is sidelined.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Available Sunday
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Knecht (back) is available for Sunday's game against the Suns, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
As expected, Knecht has been upgraded from probable to available. On Friday, the sharpshooter posted 32 points (13-27 FG, 5-13 3Pt) in 37 minutes as a starter during a 131-126 loss to Denver. However, with Luka Doncic and Dorian Finney-Smith back in action, Knecht will operate off the bench Sunday.
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, snapping a four-game absence. Before the injury, Hayes started 16 games in a row, averaging 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 blocks across 23.4 minutes per game.
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Lakers' Dorian Finney-Smith: Cleared to play
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Finney-Smith (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Suns.
As expected, Finney-Smith will return to action after resting during Friday's loss to Denver, which was the second night of a back-to-back set. Over his last six appearances (all starts), Finney-Smith has averaged 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 34.0 minutes per game.
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Lakers' Gabe Vincent: Good to go Sunday
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Vincent (knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Suns.
As expected, Vincent has been upgraded from probable to available and will return to action after taking a seat for the second night of a back-to-back set Friday. Over his last six appearances (four starts), Vincent has averaged 9.2 points and 1.8 assists in 26.7 minutes per game.
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Lakers' Luka Doncic: Will play Sunday
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Doncic (calf) is available for Sunday's game against the Suns.
As expected, Doncic has been upgraded from probable to available and will return to action after taking a seat against Denver on Friday, which was the second night of a back-to-back set. Over his last 10 appearances, Doncic has averaged 29.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.2 steals in 36.5 minutes per game.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Likely out one more week
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James (groin) is scheduled to go through an on-court workout in Los Angeles on Sunday and is expected to remain held out for at least one more week of game action, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
James is seemingly making good progress in his recovery from the left groin strain he sustained in a March 8 loss to the Celtics, but the Lakers seem to be proceeding cautiously with the 21-time All-Star as he works his way back from the soft-tissue injury. He'll be sidelined for a fourth straight game Sunday versus Phoenix, and Charania's report implies that James will also miss the remaining four contests of the Lakers' homestand. While James and Rui Hachimura (knee) both remain out, the Lakers will have more minutes available for the likes of Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Jordan Goodwin and Dorian Finney-Smith.
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Lakers' Gabe Vincent: Likely to play Sunday
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Vincent (knee) is probable for Sunday's game against the Suns, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
Vincent has been upgraded from questionable to probable after missing Friday's loss to the Nuggets due to left knee injury management. The 28-year-old combo guard has started in four of his last six appearances and has averaged 9.2 points and 1.8 assists across 26.7 minutes per contest in that span.
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Lakers' Dorian Finney-Smith: Upgraded to probable Sunday
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Finney-Smith (ankle) is probable for Sunday's game against Phoenix, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
Finney-Smith is now expected to suit up after missing Friday's loss to Denver due to left ankle injury management. The 31-year-old forward has missed two of the club's last three outings. Finney-Smith has started in each of his last six appearances, during which he has averaged 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds across 34.0 minutes per contest.
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Lakers' Trey Jemison: Won't play Sunday
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Jemison (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Suns, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
After missing Friday's game against the Nuggets due to an illness, Jemison was not listed on the Lakers' initial injury report for Sunday. However, he's now a late scratch and will miss a second straight game. Jaxson Hayes (knee) is expected to play Sunday, but Jemison's absence should clear the way for either Alex Len or Christian Koloko to serve as Hayes' top backup.
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Lakers' Trey Jemison: Not on injury report
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Jemison (illness) is not on the injury report and should be available for Sunday's game against the Suns.
Jemison missed Friday's game against the Nuggets due to an illness, but he should return to action Sunday. His role remains uncertain, but it wouldn't be surprising if he starts if Jaxson Hayes (knee) doesn't play.
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Lakers' Gabe Vincent: Questionable for Sunday
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Vincent (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Suns.
Vincent missed Friday's game while managing a left knee injury, and the questionable tag suggests a decision on his status will be made closer to the 3:30 p.m. ET tipoff. If deemed healthy, Vincent should see steady minutes in the backcourt as part of the second unit.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Probable for Sunday
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Knecht is probable for Sunday's game against the Suns due to back soreness.
Knecht contributed 32 points (13-27 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and one assist over 37 minutes during Friday's 131-126 loss to the Nuggets, and he continues to prove he can be relied upon when needed. The rookie carries a probable tag, but that suggests he should be available to suit up Sunday.
