The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road swing on Wednesday night with a 137-130 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Center Jaxson Hayes, thrust into the starting lineup after DeAndre Ayton was sidelined by back soreness, finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds. The outing marked the third 20-and-10 game of his NBA career and his first since joining the Lakers.
Hayes said playing close to his childhood home provided an extra lift. “I grew up an hour and a half away, so my family was here,” he told Spectrum SportsNet after the game. “I was excited I got to play in front of my parents.”
The 23-year-old native of Norman, Oklahoma, spent part of the trip at his parents’ home in Cincinnati following the team’s stop in Detroit. He drove to Indianapolis with them the night before the game and enjoyed a home-cooked breakfast on game day.
Luka Doncic paced all scorers with 43 points, while LeBron James, Austin Reaves and rookie Bronny James added key contributions to help Los Angeles finish the trip 5-1 despite a shortened rotation.
The Lakers return to Crypto.com Arena for a three-game homestand beginning Friday against the Brooklyn Nets, followed by matchups with the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers. Head coach Darvin Ham has not yet indicated whether Hayes will remain in the starting lineup.
Source: LakersNation.com
