Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Shows improvement in sixth season
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Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 blocks in 19.5 minutes over 56 games during the 2024-25 regular season.
Hayes showed obvious improvement in his second year as a Laker, averaging his best scoring total since the 2021 season while setting career highs in both rebounds and assists. However, he struggled to find his footing during LA's first-round postseason series against the Timberwolves, averaging 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in four games before being a healthy scratch for Game 5.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Heads to bench Wednesday
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Hayes will come off the bench Wednesday against the Timberwolves, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
After being in the starting lineup for 36 straight games, Hayes will have a bench role in Game 5, with Dorian Finney-Smith taking his place as a starter. It has been a rough series for Hayes, as he has averaged 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game across only 7.5 minutes per contest despite being in the starting lineup for the previous four games.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Sees just four minutes
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Hayes accumulated two points (1-2 FG), three rebounds and one assist in four minutes during Sunday's 116-113 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hayes had a brutal start, picking up a couple of quick fouls and a technical. He never saw the floor after that, with coach J.J. Redick opting to go with a smaller lineup with Dorian Finney-Smith playing the entire second half. A lineup change could be brewing for Game 5 with the season on the line for the Lakers.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Non-factor in Game 3 loss
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Hayes produced two points (1-2 FG) and one rebound over nine minutes during Friday's 116-104 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hayes continues to be a non-factor, having now played fewer than 10 minutes in each of the three playoff games. He has scored a total of five points, and at this point, it's clear the Lakers will need to upgrade their center position if and when this season comes to an end.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Another lackluster performance
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Hayes chipped in two points (1-2 FG), one rebound and one block across nine minutes during Tuesday's 94-85 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hayes has been a complete non-factor in this series, as he has been more of a foul magnet than a player who can make an impact on the basketball floor. The veteran has played a total of 17 minutes across the first two games, racking up five fouls and three points, which has made him virtually unplayable and a player head coach JJ Redick hasn't been able to rely on in the paint.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Invisible in Game 1 loss
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Hayes amassed one point (0-2 FG, 1-2 FT) and three rebounds over eight minutes during Saturday's 117-95 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Despite starting, Hayes barely saw the floor, a worrying sign for the Lakers. While he has been an adequate starting option, Hayes is far from an elite center. His inability to spread the floor and limited defensive capabilities could see him used as more of an emergency option, rather than a consistent part of the rotation.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Will play vs. Portland
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Hayes (hand) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Hayes will be the only usual starter for the Lakers who will be available Sunday during the team's regular-season finale. The veteran big man is averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game, shooting 72.2 percent from the field.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Questionable for Sunday
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Hayes is questionable for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a right hand contusion, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
A decision on Hayes' status will be made closer to tip-off. That said, it wouldn't be surprising to see him handle a sizable workload in the regular-season finale since the Lakers will rest most of their rotation regulars. Hayes has been a starter for the team since the trade that sent Anthony Davis (groin) to the Mavericks. He's been averaging 8.1 points and 5.6 boards per game since the All-Star break.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Upgraded to available
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Hayes (hand) has been upgraded to available for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
Hayes was initially listed as questionable for this contest, but the big man has been upgraded to available and should start at center. Since the All-Star break, he has averaged 8.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.9 blocks per game and should handle his regular workload in this matchup.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Questionable vs. Dallas
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Hayes (hand) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
Hayes is dealing with a contusion on his right hand, which might keep him sidelined Wednesday in Dallas. If the veteran center cannot play against the Mavericks, the Lakers will likely turn to Trey Jemison and Dorian Finney-Smith to shoulder the load in the frontcourt.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Quiet again in loss
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Hayes had seven points (3-4 FG, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 27 minutes during Tuesday's 136-120 loss to the Thunder.
Hayes continues to start for the Lakers but has been unable to put up anything close to meaningful numbers, particularly on the offensive end. Over his past 14 games, Hayes has averaged just 20.4 minutes per game despite starting in all 14. He has produced 8.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per contest in that time.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Held in check
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Hayes registered three points (1-2 FG, 1-1 FT), three rebounds and one assist in 14 minutes during Monday's 104-98 victory over the Rockets.
The Lakers had a lot of success with their small-ball lineups, as Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent combined for 40 points off the bench. Therefore, Hayes' minutes were held in check Monday. Over his last eight games, Hayes has been limited to deep-league value with averages of 8.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.5 blocks.
Hayes contributed 19 points (9-11 FG, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block over 32 minutes during Thursday's 119-117 loss to the Bulls.
Hayes has been a relatively hit-or-miss fantasy option since taking over in the middle following the trade of Anthony Davis, but Thursday did mark the third time in March in which Hayes scored 19 points in a game. He's averaged 11.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks in 25.0 minutes across 11 games this month, and Hayes is shooting a robust 80.3 percent from the field during that period.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Plays only 18 minutes in loss
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Hayes finished Monday's 118-106 loss to the Magic with four points (2-4 FG), four rebounds and one block across 18 minutes.
Hayes scored fewer than five points for just the second time since the All-Star break. The big man saw a significant decrease in playing time Monday, as Rui Hachimura and LeBron James both received a bump in minutes during their second game back from extended absences. The club may decide to utilize Dorian Finney-Smith at the center position more often to give Hachimura more playing time, which could result in Hayes seeing a slight decrease in minutes moving forward.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Nearly double-doubles
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Hayes provided nine points (3-5 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals across 28 minutes during Monday's 125-109 victory over San Antonio.
Hayes continues to tighten his grip on the starting center job for the shorthanded Lakers. He's trending up over his last five outings, averaging 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks on 53.1 percent shooting from the field. In that span, he's returned 10th-round value in nine-category formats.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Productive line in return
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Hayes (knee) accumulated 19 points (8-10 FG, 3-7 FT), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 29 minutes during Sunday's 107-96 win over Phoenix.
After missing the Lakers' previous four games due to a right knee contusion, Hayes took back his spot in the starting five and saw seemingly operating with no restrictions. Though he struggled from the free-throw line, Hayes' elite efficiency in the paint helped him match his season-best total in scoring, which he supplemented with a pair of defensive counters. Hayes will likely lose out on some touches once the Lakers are back to full strength, but he could see a slight boost in fantasy value in the short term until the team gets LeBron James (groin) and Rui Hachimura (knee) back from injury.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Returning to action Sunday
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Hayes (knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Suns.
As expected, Hayes has been upgraded from probable to available and will return to action Sunday, snapping a four-game absence. Before the injury, Hayes started 16 games in a row, averaging 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 blocks across 23.4 minutes per game.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Probable for Sunday
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Hayes (knee) is probable for Sunday's game against the Suns.
Hayes has missed the Lakers' last four games, but the probable tag suggests he might be ready to return Sunday. Prior to the injury, Hayes had started in 16 games in a row for the Lakers, averaging 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 blocks across 23.4 minutes per game.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Won't go Friday
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Hayes (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Denver, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Hayes will miss his fourth consecutive contest due to a right knee contusion. His next chance to play will come Sunday against the Suns. Christian Koloko and Alex Len are candidates for an uptick in minutes, especially if Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) and/or Trey Jemison (illness) are ruled out.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Out against Brooklyn
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Hayes (knee) will not play against the Nets on Monday.
Hayes will be sidelined for a second straight game with his next chance to play coming Thursday against the Bucks. In his absence, the Lakers could turn to Jarred Vanderbilt and Trey Jemison to soak up some frontcourt minutes.
