The LA Lakers' injury woes worsened on Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers as 7-foot center Jaxson Hayes rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter. LA was missing six players entering this clash, including their stars, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.Hayes was playing a key role off the bench as Deandre Ayton's backup. He played 13 minutes, tallying four points on 2 of 3 shots, adding three rebounds. The game demanded LA to have a big man on the floor at all times for matchup purposes, as the Trail Blazers also did that.Here's a video of Hayes' injury:Hayes showed tremendous grit and got up for a jump ball, won the tap, and then exited the game. Fortunately for the Lakers, Jaxson Hayes' injury setback didn't limit them. They won the contest 123-115.Deandre Ayton led the way against his former team with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, shooting 73.7%. Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura had 28 points on 10 of 15 shots.The breakout star for this contest was two-way player Nick Smith Jr., who tallied 25 points, six assists, and two steals off the bench, shooting 10 of 15, including 5 of 6 from deep.LA improved to 6-2 on the season, winning its fourth consecutive game.Lakers can't afford to miss Jaxson Hayes as Victor Wembanyama visits town nextThe Lakers will hope Jaxson Hayes hasn't suffered a significant injury, which keeps him out for Wednesday's home clash against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Deandre Ayton and Hayes have been solid, but the third option JJ Redick has turned to has been Jarred Vanderbilt at the five.The Lakers will need a big man on the floor at all times to guard Wembanyama, who can get his counterparts in foul trouble. Ayton will start, but if he heads to the bench early, Hayes' potential absence can cost the Lakers dearly.They won't have much resistance at the rim, demanding plenty of their wings who will have their hands full with the likes of Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and others.