The Los Angeles Lakers looked firmly in control as they cruised toward what would be their third win in four games, building a commanding lead over the Washington Wizards early in the fourth quarter. But before the scoreboard tilted heavily in L.A.'s favor, one of the night’s most electric plays came in the opening quarter-and it was vintage Luka Doncic.
Doncic, always a step ahead of the defense, picked off a pass and pushed the ball up the floor. Then came the magic: a no-look dime to Jaxson Hayes, who was slicing along the baseline. Hayes caught it in stride and detonated at the rim for a powerful dunk, sending the Lakers bench into a frenzy and giving fans another highlight to replay on loop.
That connection between Doncic and Hayes didn’t come out of nowhere. Since Hayes arrived last season via trade, the two have quietly built a strong on-court chemistry.
Doncic has always had a knack for elevating his teammates, and Hayes has been the perfect vertical threat to complement Luka’s vision. The timing, the trust, the rhythm-it’s all there.
Plays like that are a product of reps and basketball IQ, and both guys are showing plenty of it.
Hayes, in particular, is starting to get some well-deserved recognition. He’s been selected to participate in this year’s Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend-an acknowledgment of his athleticism and highlight-reel ability. But beyond the dunks, Hayes has been one of the Lakers’ more consistent contributors this season.
After a frustrating end to last year-where he was benched during the Lakers’ playoff elimination against the Timberwolves-Hayes re-upped with L.A. in the offseason. That decision is paying off for both sides.
Hayes has carved out a key role in the Lakers' second unit, bringing energy, rim protection, and efficient scoring in his minutes. He’s appeared in 38 games so far, including four starts, averaging just over 17 minutes a night.
His numbers-6.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game on a blistering 77.3% shooting from the field-don’t jump off the page, but they speak to a player who knows his role and executes it well.
Luka throws a NO-LOOK DIME to Jaxson Hayes for the alley-oop slam 🫣💥pic.twitter.com/4F8srAS1mU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 31, 2026
Even his free throw shooting, while still a work in progress at 63.2%, has shown signs of improvement. And despite a couple of minor injuries, Hayes has stayed largely available-something that’s been crucial for a Lakers team navigating the grind of an eight-game road trip.
That trip isn’t over just yet. The Lakers still have stops at Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks and then at Barclays Center against the Nets before heading back to L.A. for a home stand leading into the All-Star break.
As for Doncic, he continues to make an MVP case that’s hard to ignore. The numbers are staggering: 33.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
He’s shooting 47.4% from the field, 34.4% from deep, and 78.1% from the free-throw line. That’s elite production across the board, and he’s doing it while orchestrating the offense with surgical precision.
Doncic’s ability to control the tempo, read defenses, and make plays like the one to Hayes is what separates him from the pack. And when he’s got teammates like Hayes finishing plays with authority, the Lakers become that much harder to stop.
This stretch of the season is all about building momentum heading into the break. If Doncic keeps playing at an MVP level and Hayes continues to thrive in his role, the Lakers may be finding their groove at just the right time.