Luka Doncic Highlights Jaxson Hayes’ Growth in Lakers’ Win Over Grizzlies
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Los Angeles — A move back to the bench appears to be paying dividends for Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes. The 7-footer delivered 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, two steals and a block in 23 minutes during Friday night’s victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena, logging nearly identical playing time to starter Deandre Ayton.
Head coach JJ Redick kept Hayes on the floor throughout the fourth quarter, explaining afterward that the reserve big man was “simply playing better” than Ayton at that stage.
After the game, Luka Doncic pointed to improved offensive timing as Hayes’ most notable stride since last season. “The biggest improvement he made over the summer was just following us,” Doncic said, referencing pick-and-roll actions with himself and LeBron James. “Finding the right pocket, that’s his best improvement.”
Hayes excelled briefly as a starter alongside Doncic following last year’s mid-season trade but returned to a reserve role once the Lakers signed Ayton to a two-year deal. The current rotation gives Los Angeles 48 minutes of consistent interior play, something the club lacked a season ago.
Injuries forced the Lakers to face Memphis without Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Adou Thiero. Hayes said the team has grown accustomed to filling gaps. “We’ve had a bunch of guys step up this year whenever we’ve needed them to, and they’ve killed it,” he noted. “We just gotta keep it up.”
Source: Lakers Nation
