Hayes Ruled Out; LeBron Sidelined

The Lakers are 1–1 to start the 2025–26 season after a loss to Golden State and a win over Minnesota. Reserve center Jaxson Hayes was downgraded and ultimately ruled out of the Minnesota game with left knee soreness, and Maxi Kleber remains out for at least a few weeks with a strained oblique, leaving the club thin in the frontcourt. Two‑way center Christian Koloko was activated to help fill the rotation, and Jarred Vanderbilt is expected to see increased minutes as Coach JJ Redick leans on smaller, versatile lineups. LeBron James remains sidelined for a couple of weeks with sciatic nerve irritation, increasing the burden on role players such as Austin Reaves. On the business side, Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter is expected to present a bid to the NBA’s advisory finance committee to acquire majority ownership of the Lakers in a deal that could close by year‑end at roughly $10 billion.