Suns Vs Lakers: Hachimura Ruled Out, Ayton’s Locker-Room Outburst Adds Tension
Rui Hachimura has been ruled out with an illness, leaving the Lakers shorthanded for a pivotal suns vs lakers road matchup and piling onto tensions after a 110–109 loss to the Orlando Magic.
Suns Vs Lakers: Hachimura unavailable
The NBA’s official injury report lists Hachimura out with an illness, and Dave McMenamin of said Hachimura will not play in Thursday’s game against the Suns. The 28-year-old, 6-foot-8 forward had scored 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting with two three-pointers, two steals and a block in 26 minutes off the bench during the 110–109 loss to Orlando.
Hachimura’s season, contract and role
For the season Hachimura is averaging 11. 7 points and 3. 4 rebounds while shooting 44% from three-point range, his third consecutive season above 40% from deep. Even after losing his starting spot to Marcus Smart, Hachimura’s floor spacing remains a key element of JJ Redick’s offensive setup. He is approaching a contract crossroads: his three-year, $51 million deal — which pays him $18. 2 million through the 2025-26 season — will expire and then he is slated to become an unrestricted free agent.
Ayton’s performance and postgame venting
Deandre Ayton finished the Orlando game with 21 points and 13 rebounds on 8-of-11 shooting, but his evening was overshadowed by visible frustration afterward. Dave McMenamin of said Ayton vented loudly in the locker room after media availability concluded, making his feelings known 'loud enough for anyone still in the locker room to hear. ' The scene followed a crushing one-point loss that left Los Angeles reeling.
Frontcourt depth shifts as Hayes returns
Jaxson Hayes, who missed the Orlando game with a sprained ankle suffered against the Boston Celtics, is available and restores depth in the frontcourt, providing insurance behind Deandre Ayton. With Hachimura sidelined, the door opens for Jake LaRavia, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart to seize larger roles on Thursday night.
Standings, injuries and the slim margin
Los Angeles sits at 34–23 and is sixth in the Western Conference, with Phoenix trailing by just two games in the play-in picture; there are fewer than 25 games remaining. Redick, in his second season on the bench, has leaned into flexibility this season — prioritizing spacing, ball movement and defensive versatility — as injuries and availability issues have prevented the team from settling into a consistent rotation. Phoenix enters the matchup having lost seven of its last 10 games and will be without multiple contributors, including Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin, Haywood Highsmith and Cole Anthony.
Odd crossover in coverage
An unrelated item in the context of wider coverage: an article titled "Is Luka Doncic playing tonight vs the Phoenix Suns injury report: Who's playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (February 26, 2026) | NBA News - The Times of India" includes a biographical passage that reads, in part, that Raunak is a passionate WWE content writer who crafts engaging narratives that bring the world of wrestling to life and fuels the imagination of WWE fans.
Thursday’s road game in Phoenix is now set with Hachimura out; Hachimura is tentatively labeled questionable for Saturday’s clash with the Warriors, and the Lakers must weigh rotations with Jaxson Hayes back and expanded opportunities for LaRavia, Kennard and Smart as they try to stabilize after the 110–109 loss to Orlando.
