Jaxson Hayes Says Protecting Luka Doncic Against Clippers Demonstrated Lakers’ Solidarity
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Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes said he felt compelled to confront Kris Dunn after the L.A. Clippers guard shoved Luka Doncic during the Lakers’ 135-118 victory at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 25, 2025.
Hayes, starting in place of injured center Deandre Ayton (knee contusion), received a technical foul for stepping in. After the game, he confirmed that Doncic offered to pay any resulting fine.
“Yeah, he said he got me. He definitely said he got me,” Hayes told reporters. “I just didn’t like the way he shoved Luka, so I’m gonna do something about it.”
The 7-footer added that the incident underscored the tight bond inside the Lakers’ locker room. “I feel a lot of camaraderie with this team, and I feel like we’re all very together and we’re all really close. We all want to protect each other,” he said.
Hayes, 25, became a key contributor in the second half of the 2024-25 season after Los Angeles traded Anthony Davis for Doncic and moved Hayes into the starting lineup. Although his postseason minutes shrank, he re-signed with the club over the summer. At Media Day, he said he stayed because the organization expressed a strong interest in bringing him back and because he wanted to continue playing alongside Doncic.
Source: Lakers Nation
