Deandre Ayton has been ruled out for the rest of the game between the LA Lakers and Utah Jazz. The Lakers made the announcement shortly after the third quarter started. Ayton was held off from playing the second half due to a right knee contusion.According to Daniel Starkland of Lakers Nation, coach JJ Redick started Jaxson Hayes in the third quarter instead of Ayton. The franchise initially listed the former No. 1 pick as questionable to return before upgrading him to out for the remainder of the contest."He had gotten hit on his leg in the first half and was kind of limping through it," Lakers coach JJ Redick said via ESPN. "And then couldn't go in the second half."Ayton was only on the court for 13 minutes in the first half, finishing with two points, three rebounds and a steal. He was initially on the Lakers' injury report before the game and didn't practice on Saturday. However, it wasn't due to a lingering knee issue, but an unspecified illness.Deandre Ayton joined the LA Lakers in free agency after his contract was bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers. Ayton signed a two-year, $16.6 million contract, which includes a player option for next season. He has the same agent as Luka Doncic, who played a crucial role in bringing him to Los Angeles.Ayton has struggled with consistency since getting traded out of the Phoenix Suns. However, he has looked revitalized in Hollywood, averaging 16.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. He's shooting 69.9% from the field, though he's struggling at the free-throw line at just 56.5%.With his injury, the Lakers are expected to turn to Jaxson Hayes, as well as Maxi Kleber. They will return home to Los Angeles for their next four games, with Ayton likely to get re-evaluated.NBA analyst praises Deandre Ayton's impact on the LakersNBA analyst praises Deandre Ayton's impact on the Lakers. (Photo: IMAGN)While some LA Lakers fans still nitpick things about Deandre Ayton, NBA analyst MJ Acosta-Ruiz had nothing but praise for the big man. Acosta-Ruiz called the former No. 1 pick an "underappreciated" player for the purple and gold franchise."He has been going off; he has four 20 and 10 games already through the season, which is what he had all of last year," Acosta-Ruiz said, according to Basketball Network. "And he is anchoring this Lakers defense at the moment. I think he's one of those guys…you can’t discount what he’s been doing thus far this season."Ayton has had the talent and potential to succeed, but his lack of motor and motivation has been an issue at times.