Jaxson Hayes had high praise for Luka Doncic following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 107-96 win over the Phoenix Suns. The 7-foot center credited Doncic for making his job easier on the floor.
“Man, that’s the best point guard in the league. So I trust he is going to find me every time I get open,” Hayes said postgame.
Hayes, who matched his season high with 19 points, emphasized the importance of their connection. “My job is just to try and get him open as well. It’s like a relationship—you both have to contribute something,” he added.
Doncic led the way with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists as the Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak. Austin Reaves chipped in 28 points, helping Los Angeles extend its home winning streak to seven games.
The Lakers (41-25) remain in the fifth seed in the Western Conference as they push toward the playoffs. Despite missing LeBron James and Rui Hachimura due to injuries, they managed to control the game from start to finish.
Kevin Durant finished with 21 points, while Devin Booker added 19 for Phoenix. The Suns (31-37) struggled offensively, shooting just 39.3% from the field and 22% from beyond the arc.
The Lakers took control early, jumping out to a 31-15 first-quarter lead behind Doncic’s scoring and playmaking. Phoenix made a late push, cutting the deficit to single digits, but Dorian Finney-Smith’s clutch three-pointer sealed the win.
Hayes’ ability to play off Doncic has been a bright spot for Los Angeles, especially in James’ absence. With a grueling stretch of games ahead, their developing chemistry could play a key role in the team’s playoff positioning.
