Lakers' Christian Koloko: Plays 37 games in 2024-25 campaign
Rotowire
Koloko finished the 2024-25 campaign with averages of 2.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.4 blocks across 9.2 minutes per contest in 37 regular-season appearances off the bench.
Koloko received limited playing time while signed to a two-way deal during the 2024-25 campaign, though he did shoot an efficient 60.6 percent from the field. The 24-year-old also appeared in 12 outings for the G League's South Bay Lakers, during which he averaged 14.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 1.8 assists and 0.6 steals across 29.6 minutes per game. Koloko is set to become a restricted free agent ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Koloko totaled two points (2-2 FT) and one rebound over two minutes during Tuesday's 136-120 loss to the Thunder.
Koloko continues to be used sparingly by the Lakers, appearing for just the second time in the past 11 games, both of which have been during garbage time. Despite the fact Jaxson Hayes has been serviceable at best, Koloko has not featured as a meaningful part of the rotation. In his past eight games, Koloko has averaged just 3.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Christian Koloko: Contributes in limited minutes
Rotowire
Koloko recorded four points (2-2 FG), two rebounds and one assist in nine minutes in Monday's 125-109 win over the Spurs.
Koloko played only single digit minutes Monday but converted on both of his shot attempts. The 24-year-old has played in four consecutive games since being recalled from the G League, serving as the backup to starting center Jaxson Hayes. In those four games, Koloko has averaged 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game.
Koloko logged four points (1-1 FG, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, four assists and one steal over 18 minutes during Tuesday's 118-104 loss to the 76ers.
Koloko saw his largest workload since Jan. 2, as Anthony Davis left this game after 10 minutes with an abdominal strain. Davis is expected to miss at least three more games for the Lakers, putting Koloko on the radar in deeper formats as a potential streaming option. Jaxson Hayes will likely see the bulk of the minutes based on previous instances, but he played just 19 minutes Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Christian Koloko: Season highs in win
Rotowire
Koloko posted eight points (4-8 FG), eight rebounds, three assists and one steal over 18 minutes during Thursday's 114-106 victory over Portland.
The big man set season highs in points, rebounds, assists and minutes while seeing extended run due to Anthony Davis (ankle) being sidelined. Koloko has received inconsistent playing time this season, and over his last five outings, he has averaged 2.8 points and 3.2 rebounds across 7.8 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Christian Koloko: Logs season-high 13 minutes
Rotowire
Koloko contributed four points (2-3 FG) and four rebounds across 13 minutes during Wednesday's 134-93 loss to the Heat.
Koloko was afforded some additional playing time as the Lakers were obliterated by the Heat. It was another in a string of poor performances, with the Lakers having now lost six of their past eight games. While Koloko returning to the court has been a great storyline, his role remains limited. As long as Anthony Davis is healthy, Koloko is unlikely to play meaningful minutes, at least not on a consistent basis.
Koloko (illness) scored two points (1-2 FG) and added two rebounds and one block across 13 minutes in Wednesday's 131-114 loss to the Grizzlies.
After appearing in 58 games for the Raptors as a rookie in 2022-23, Koloko missed the entire 2023-24 season while battling a blood clotting issue that temporarily forced him to pause his career. The 24-year-old center signed a two-way deal with the Lakers in September, and after receiving clearance from the NBA's Fitness-to-Play Panel to resume playing in games, he took the court Wednesday for his team and season debuts. Though the Lakers opened up a spot in the rotation for Koloko as the backup center to Jaxson Hayes, Koloko will likely lose out on minutes if Anthony Davis (heel) is cleared to play Friday versus the 76ers.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Christian Koloko: Will be in rotation Wednesday
Rotowire
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Koloko (illness) will be available for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies and will be part of the rotation at center, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Assuming Redick sticks to his word, Koloko will be seeing his first NBA action since April 9, 2023, when he made the 58th and final appearance of his rookie season with Toronto. The 24-year-old missed the entire 2023-24 season while recovering from blood clots, and after getting clearance from the NBA's Fitness-to-Play Panel, Koloko is finally ready to resume his career. Koloko's return coincides with Anthony Davis (ankle) being ruled out for Wednesday's contest, though the Lakers are unlikely to ask Koloko to play significant minutes, as Jaxson Hayes is the likelier candidate to start and take on the brunt of the playing time at center. Koloko flashed shot-blocking prowess as a rookie, and now that he's healthy again, he'll have the opportunity to stake a claim to a more permanent spot in the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Christian Koloko: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Koloko (illness) isn't listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies.
Koloko dealt with a blood clot issue that sidelined him for the entire 2023-24 campaign, but he's been making strong progress over the past few weeks. While he's not listed on the injury report, Koloko likely won't be thrust into the rotation right away and is expected to spend most of his time in the G League given his two-way status.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Christian Koloko: Will eventually ramp up in G League
Rotowire
Koloko (illness) will begin his return-to-play process with the Lakers' G League affiliate, although a timeline remains to be specified, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
Koloko will report the South Bay Lakers to start the G League season, although his timing for returning to on-court action is still to be determined. Koloko's health following a blood clot issue continues to be overseen by the NBA's Fitness-to-Play Panel, but he is gradually progressing toward becoming fully cleared.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Christian Koloko: Remains out
Rotowire
Koloko (illness) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Cavaliers, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Koloko has been medically returned to clear but will sit out Wednesday as he returns to competition conditioning. When Koloko is ready to suit up, he is expected to compete for depth minutes in Los Angeles' frontcourt.
Lakers' Christian Koloko: Medically cleared to return
Rotowire
Koloko has been medically cleared to play by the NBA's fitness-to-play panel, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
Koloko will begin practicing with the Lakers this week, but it remains to be seen how soon he'll actually take the floor in a live game setting. Still, this is great news for the Lakers, as Koloko will give their frontcourt a huge boost with his rim-protection ability.
1:16
1:20
0:59
1:32
2:52
1:39
4:19
1:22
1:46
3:53
3:34
0:57
2:28
1:38
2:11
2:37
0:57
1:35
2:28
5:02
