Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick singled out Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes for their steady contributions over the past several games, saying the duo has helped stabilize the injury-hit roster.
Speaking to Spectrum SportsNet this week, Redick noted that both players have “stacked multiple games in a row” of high-level play. “At some point you assume you’re going to be at full health, and to be a great basketball team you need nine or 10 guys playing at a high level,” Redick said. “Jake since the first Phoenix game, Jaxson as of late… he’s now stacked three, four, five games in a row where he’s just played great on both ends.”
Role players thriving amid lineup shuffles
LaRavia opened the 2025-26 season as a reserve but has pushed for more minutes by embracing a utility role—diving for loose balls, defending multiple positions and recently rediscovering his three-point touch. Hayes, serving as Deandre Ayton’s primary backup, has delivered rim protection and a steady diet of lob finishes, adding several highlight dunks to the Lakers’ reel.
The Lakers’ depth was questioned earlier in the season, yet LaRavia and Hayes have provided a reliable spark while starters recover. Free-agent additions Ayton and Marcus Smart have also anchored the rotation, with Ayton holding down the starting center spot and Smart carving out a regular role in the backcourt.
Redick reflects on difficult December stretch
The praise comes shortly after Los Angeles labored through a rough finish to 2025, dropping several games in lopsided fashion. Redick previously acknowledged he “wasn’t at his best” during that span, but recent performances from LaRavia and Hayes have offered encouragement as the Lakers aim to regain full strength.
Source: Lakers Nation
