Jaxson Hayes discussed his performance in Thursday’s 120‑113 loss to the Denver Nuggets, saying, “Felt like there was more we could have done. I could have done especially on the defensive end… little lapses, just dropping back, giving up points.”
On facing Nikola Jokic, Hayes said, “He’s like 350 pounds and has the best footwork I’ve ever seen. You use your strength against him, then he uses finesse. He’s the best player in the world right now.”
Hayes addressed the challenge of playing in difficult situations. “It’s fun for me. I like the challenge always. All of us. If you don’t like the challenge, then why are you here? I just enjoy those challenges and hope to grow and learn from them,” he explained.
Regarding the impact of the loss in the Western Conference race, Hayes noted, “If we won this game, we would have had the tiebreaker versus Denver and jumped them in the rankings. Obviously, this is a tough one to lose.”
Hayes spoke about being ready to start at center in Deandre Ayton’s absence. “I always stay ready. Even if I wasn’t in the rotation, they pay me to stay ready. That’s all NBA players’ job—stay ready and get better every day. I’m going to do whatever the team needs me to do tomorrow,” he said.
Reflecting on LeBron James’ record-breaking field goal, Hayes said, “It’s amazing. I’m from Ohio. I used to drive five hours to watch him play. Whenever I get to see that, it’s always awesome.”
Hayes also praised the competitive environment. “Hard-fought game didn’t go away. Jokic had those two shots that kind of sealed the game. But you learn from each challenge,” he added.
The Lakers remain 37‑25 in the Western Conference, trailing the Denver Nuggets at 39‑24. Los Angeles returns home to face the Indiana Pacers Friday, with Hayes ready to take on a larger role at center.
