The Los Angeles Lakers are not going to make any deep playoff run with Jaxson Hayes starting at center, claims one anonymous NBA executive.

Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) controls the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Crypto.com Aren

Before Luka Doncic dropped 32 points in the Lakers’ win over the Nuggets on Saturday, his return to Los Angeles after a six-week calf injury had been underwhelming.

The Lakers suffered a major injury blow against the Jazz as they lost starting center Jaxson Hayes for the rest of the game.

The Charlotte Hornets have been in contact with the NBA as they explore options to dispute the Los Angeles Lakers' failed physical assessment of Mark Williams, sources tell ESPN. The Williams/Dalton Knecht trade was nixed Saturday, and now Hornets weigh avenues to challenge.

Hayes (face) will be available for Wednesday's game against the Hornets, head coach JJ Redick told media Tuesday, according to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register.

Luka Doncic officially made his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, giving NBA fans the first look at the new duo of Doncic and LeBron James. Doncic was able to record 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz, his first game back since suffering a calf injury on Christmas Day.

The absence of all three players was a factor in the Lakers losing 131-119 to Utah on Wednesday. They hold a 32-20 record and are in fifth place in the Western Conference, and they're just half a game behind the fourth-place Houston Rockets and three games behind the second-place Memphis Grizzlies.

Jaxson Hayes will not return for the second half because of a facial contusion, the Lakers say.

After Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams failed his physical and the Los Angeles Lakers opted to rescind his trade, L.A. pivoted, signing 7-footer Alex Len

Coach JJ Redick used Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jarred Vanderbilt and Alex Len as reserves against Charlotte and said they will continue to tinker with small-ball lineups.