Trailing by eight with under seven minutes left, the Lakers found themselves in a tight spot against a rejuvenated New Orleans Pelicans squad. Enter Jaxson Hayes.
Head coach J.J. Redick made a pivotal move by bringing Hayes into the game.
Immediately, Hayes made his presence felt. On defense, he absorbed Zion Williamson's powerful drive, leading to a crucial block and rebound, which swung momentum in the Lakers' favor. On the next play, he drew an offensive foul on Williamson, stalling another Pelicans attack.
This defensive spark ignited a 12-0 run, propelling the Lakers to victory. Hayes stayed on the court until the final buzzer, a testament to his growing importance. After being sidelined in the playoffs last season, Hayes has made significant strides, especially on defense.
His evolution has secured him a key role as the Lakers gear up for another playoff run.
"Jaxson has had a really good season," Redick noted postgame. "I played with him during his early years, and he's become a much better player. He's making smart plays around the rim and energizes the team with his hustle and defense."
Hayes has honed his defensive skills, mastering verticality and contact absorption at the rim. Adding 20 pounds of muscle over the summer has clearly paid off in his rim protection.
Consider a play against the Nuggets, where Hayes was in drop coverage. His task was to engage Tim Hardaway Jr. while preventing Jonas Valanciunas from slipping behind.
Last season, timing was an issue for Hayes, which cost him minutes in the playoffs. Now, he's jumping with precision, blocking shots cleanly without fouling.
"As last season progressed, he improved on illegal screens and decision-making," Redick added. "This year, his verticality is unmatched on our team."
Verticality and low-man duties are vital, especially with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in the backcourt. Both excel offensively but have defensive vulnerabilities. Hayes steps up, rotating effectively and creating deflections.
The Lakers are known for their frequent switching defense, and Hayes excels here too. His 7’3 wingspan and agility make him a formidable switch defender. While Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber have struggled, Hayes thrives in these situations.
In a matchup against the Nuggets, Hayes adeptly switched onto Jamal Murray, forcing a miss. Against the Pelicans, he contested Trey Murphy so effectively it resulted in an airball.
Despite Ayton's talent, Hayes' defensive prowess and fit with Luka make a strong case for him in high-stakes games. The shadow of last year's playoff doubts still lingers, but Hayes' improvement could be the key to a deeper postseason run for the Lakers.