Trending Now - Injuries Shake up Lakers-nuggets Clash and Player Rankings

WHO:

Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton, starting center for the Lakers

LeBron James, forward for the Lakers

Luka Doncic, player for the Dallas Mavericks

Marcus Smart, guard for the Lakers

Nikola Jokic, player for the Denver Nuggets

JJ Redick, head coach of the Lakers

Jaxson Hayes, backup center for the Lakers

Ed Malloy, crew chief referee

Mike Mancias, athletic trainer for LeBron James

Indiana Pacers, opposing team for the Lakers

Maxi Kleber, player for the Lakers

Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero, Kobe Bufkin, Bronny James, inactive players for the Lakers

Chris Mañon, Nick Smith Jr, Drew Timme, inactive players for the Lakers

WHAT:

Deandre Ayton suffered a left knee injury and did not return to the game against the Denver Nuggets.

LeBron James sustained a left elbow contusion during the game and did not finish.

The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets with a score of 120-113.

Luka Doncic received a technical foul for using profanity directed towards a referee, marking his 15th technical foul of the season.

If Doncic receives one more technical foul, he will face a one-game suspension.

Jaxson Hayes scored 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting against the Nuggets.

The Lakers will be without LeBron James, Deandre Ayton, and Maxi Kleber for their game against the Indiana Pacers on March 8, 2026.

WHERE:

The game took place in Denver, Colorado.

The Lakers' next game is against the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles, California.

WHEN:

The game against the Denver Nuggets occurred on March 5, 2026.

The Lakers' next game against the Indiana Pacers is scheduled for March 8, 2026.

Ayton played for the first four minutes and 30 seconds of the game on March 5, 2026.

WHY:

Ayton's injury was due to left knee soreness, which followed a previous issue with right knee soreness.

LeBron James' injury occurred after absorbing contact from Nikola Jokic during the game.

HOW:

LeBron James described his elbow injury as feeling like a "funny bone situation, but like, super more intense."

JJ Redick's coaching decisions included using players like Jarred Vanderbilt, which did not yield positive results.

In a tough game on March 5, 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Denver Nuggets with a final score of 120 to 113, suffering significant losses as both Deandre Ayton and LeBron James left the game due to injuries. Ayton, who had just played four and a half minutes, is dealing with left knee soreness, while LeBron sustained a left elbow contusion after a hit from Nikola Jokic. The Lakers will face the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles on March 8, but they'll be without Ayton, LeBron, and Maxi Kleber for that matchup.