Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton didn’t return in the second half of Friday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies due to middle back spasms.
After the Lakers’ win, head coach JJ Redick revealed that Ayton was available to return but he stayed away from his to be cautious with Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt playing well in his absence.
“He just had some middle back spasms. He was available in the fourth quarter when he came back out. He had a heat pack on, but I just felt that it wasn’t worth it given that group with Jaxson and Vando at the five, rotating between them in the second half, they were really good.