JJ Redick gives updates on Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton

In recent days, the Los Angeles Lakers have suddenly found themselves very shorthanded. First, they lost Austin Reaves to a calf strain he suffered a little over a week ago, then starting center Deandre Ayton dealt with elbow soreness and missed his last two games.

Then, against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, they were without starting forward Rui Hachimura, who is dealing with a groin ailment. To make matters worse, Luka Doncic suffered a leg contusion during this match and was ruled out for the second half. Without so many key players, the Lakers were seriously lacking in offensive firepower and lost 103-88 to the Clippers.

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Head coach JJ Redick said he hoped Hachimura would be back after missing a total of just a few days.

He also added that Ayton and Reaves are improving, although he did not say whether either would play in the team’s next game Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.

The Lakers will have a marquee matchup on Christmas Day against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, who are 17-8 and just behind the Lakers in fifth place in the Western Conference. Five days later, the Purple and Gold will host the Detroit Pistons, who have the best record in the Eastern Conference with a 22-6 record.

Needless to say, they’ll need to be near full strength to beat either team, let alone both.

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This article was originally published on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick provides update on Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton