Lakers' Jake LaRavia's Iron Man Streak Ends Due to Ankle Sprain

Jake LaRavia's consecutive games streak with the Los Angeles Lakers will end Friday night when the team faces the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. The fifth-year forward is sidelined with a sprained right ankle, an injury he sustained during the fourth quarter of Wednesday's season-opening victory over the Warriors.

This marks the first regular season game LaRavia has missed due to injury or illness since signing a two-year, $12 million contract with the Lakers in July 2025. Last season, he played in all 82 regular season games and was one of 18 players to achieve that feat. His streak extended to 90 consecutive games, including eight playoff games in the 2025-26 season, before he was a coach's decision inactive for the final two playoff games against the Thunder.

The injury occurred midway through the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game, with the Lakers holding a substantial lead. LaRavia attempted to drive to the basket and awkwardly twisted his right ankle after contact with an opposing player. He was able to put weight on the leg before being helped to the locker room.

Head coach JJ Redick expressed cautious optimism about LaRavia's condition following the game. "I’m probably more positive than when it first happened," Redick stated, indicating that the outlook improved compared to the immediate aftermath of the injury. Before exiting the game, LaRavia contributed 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting off the bench. "He's a winning player," Redick added, praising LaRavia's ability to impact the game in ways that don't always appear in the box score.

LaRavia was observed on an exercise bike with Adou Thiero, who is also dealing with left knee swelling, during Friday morning's shootaround before being officially ruled out for the game against the Clippers.