Image Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report and Predicted Starting Lineups- Lakers Share Latest Updates on DeAndre Ayton, Maxi Kleber, and Others’ Availability Against Jazz

Who's in and who's out as Jazz welcome Lakers on Thursday?

Image Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers will visit Delta Center in Salt Lake City to lock horns with the Utah Jazz for an NBA 2025-26 regular-season clash on Thursday, December 18. This will be the third time these Western Conference teams will be up against each other in the current season. In their past two meetings, the Jazz suffered losses to their far-superior counterparts. Hence, they would seek revenge for those defeats and open their account against the Gold and Purple brigade.

Talking about their current campaign, the hosts will head into the matchup on the back of a two-game winning streak. In their most-recent game, they handed a seven-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks to improve their seasonal tally to 10-15. On the other hand, the Lakers, who have been dealing with inconsistency off-late, are coming off a two-point win over the Phoenix Suns, their third win in six games.

While the Lakers are a far better team than the Jazz, their current campaign is nothing less than a rollercoaster ride. Given the facts and stats, we can expect a lopsided game in the favor of the visitors to take place. However, before that, let’s get into injury reports and expected starting lineups for both teams.

Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report

Given below is a complete breakdown of the injury reports and expected starting lineups for Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers.

Utah Jazz’s Injuries

Player	Position	Injury	Status
Lauri Markkanen	PF	Groin	Questionable
Georges Niang	PF	Foot	Out
Walker Kessler	C	Shoulder	Out

Lauri Markkanen has been listed as questionable against the Los Angeles Lakers due to right groin injury management.

Georges Niang is rehabbing a left foot, fourth metatarsal stress reaction. He will be out on Thursday.

Walker Kessler suffered a left shoulder labral tear, which required a season-ending surgery.

Los Angeles Lakers’ Injuries

Player	Position	Injury	Status
Gabe Vincent	PG	Back	Questionable
Deandre Ayton	C	Elbow	Out
Maxi Kleber	C	Back	Probable
Austin Reaves	SG	Calf	Out

Gabe Vincent is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game against the Jazz due to low-back soreness.

Deandre Ayton has been ruled out for Thursday’s game due to left elbow soreness.

Maxi Kleber is listed as probable against the Jazz due to lumbar muscle strain. He missed the last three games due to the same.

Austin Reaves is listed as out for Thursday due to left calf strain.

Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers Predicted Starting Lineups

Utah Jazz: Brice Sensabaugh, Lauri Markkanen, Kyle Filipowski, Ace Bailey, Keyonte George

Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart

Los Angeles Lakers

Utah Jazz

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.