Trail Blazers' Deandre Ayton: Won't play Tuesday from

Trail Blazers’ Deandre Ayton Ruled Out For Tuesday’s Game

Ayton’s injury status for beyond Tuesday unknown

### Details of the Injury and Timeline for Return Deandre Ayton, the starting center for the Portland Trail Blazers, has been ruled out of Tuesday night's home game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a right ankle sprain. Ayton suffered the injury in Monday’s practice and underwent an MRI on Tuesday morning that confirmed the sprain. The severity of Ayton’s sprain and a timeline for his return have not yet been determined. The Trail Blazers will re-evaluate Ayton’s injury in the coming days to determine the extent of the damage and provide a more concrete timetable for his return.

Ayton’s Absence a Blow to Trail Blazers

Ayton’s absence is a significant blow to the Trail Blazers, who are currently 29-31 and fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Ayton is averaging 17.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game this season and is a key part of Portland's young core. In Ayton’s absence, Jusuf Nurkic is expected to start at center for the Trail Blazers. Nurkic has been a solid contributor for Portland this season, averaging 14.5 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. However, he is not the same caliber of player as Ayton, and his presence in the starting lineup will likely result in a drop-off in production for the Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers will hope that Ayton’s injury is not a long-term one. If he is able to return to the lineup quickly, Portland’s playoff hopes will remain intact. However, if Ayton is forced to miss an extended period of time, the Trail Blazers’ chances of making the playoffs will take a significant hit.