Deandre Ayton suffered an apparent leg injury during the first half of the LA Lakers' game against the Utah Jazz. Ayton did not return to the game as the Lakers went on to escape the Jazz, 108-106, on Sunday.After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick called for the team to take action after Ayton's injury, saying that the rest of his players should always be ready to step up in their starting center's absence.“Everybody has to be ready," Redick said. "I don’t wanna speculate on Ayton, but we feel confident that we have enough options.”Ayton was then diagnosed with a right knee contusion following the game. Backup center Maxi Kleber took his spot in the game.Ayton only played 13 minutes against the Jazz and put up two points and three rebounds.Ayton, who signed a two-year deal with the Lakers last offseason, has been solid this season, averaging 16.5 points and a team-best 8.8 rebounds per game.Kleber and Jaxson Hayes are expected to fill in Ayton's role until he recovers from the injury. Fortunately for the Lakers, the team welcomed back star LeBron James, who had been out for the first month of the season.The Lakers have won four straight games to rise in the shared second spot with a 12-4 record.JJ Redick compliments role players after Deandre Ayton injuryLakers head coach JJ Redick lauded his role players who stepped up in the absence of Deandre Ayton for most of their game against the Jazz.According to Redick, they maintained their level of physicality despite not having Ayton on the floor, thanks to the efforts of players like Maxi Kleber and guard Gabe Vincent."Maxi coming in in that second half, really changed the game for us with his physicality," he said. "He made some plays at the rim. He was great. Gabe was great as well. And those two guys playing that extended run, that's really where our defense was solidified.""To DA, I don’t know what’s going on with him. I think he hit his leg in the first half, was kinda limping through it, and then couldn’t go on in the second half."Luka Doncic led the Lakers against the Jazz with 33 points and 11 rebounds.They will be taking on the LA Clippers on Tuesday to continue their regular season campaign.