Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes kept it simple when asked about Luka Dončić’s return from suspension.
“No more technicals,” Hayes told Spectrum Sportsnet’s Mike Trudell.
The message came after the Lakers handled business without Dončić, rolling to a 120-101 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday night. While Hayes delivered the line with a light tone, it reflected a real point for a team gaining momentum late in the season.
Availability matters — especially now.
Lakers Backup Center Delivers on Both Ends
Hayes didn’t just talk. He backed it up.
The Lakers’ big man finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, providing a major lift off the bench. His energy helped swing the game early and stabilize the Lakers’ interior presence throughout the night.
It was one of Hayes’ most efficient performances of the season — and a reminder of the depth Los Angeles has built around its stars.
Lakers Win Without Dončić
GettyLeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers with a triple-double in a big win without Luka Doncic.
With Dončić serving a one-game suspension after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season, the Lakers leaned on LeBron James to carry the load.
James delivered a triple-double with 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most combined regular-season and playoff wins in NBA history at 1,228.
He set the tone early, attacking the rim and finishing two emphatic dunks in the first quarter off feeds from Austin Reaves, who added 19 points and nine assists.
The win marked the Lakers’ 12th victory in their last 13 games — a surge that has come with or without Dončić in the lineup.
Game Turns in Second Quarter
The Lakers trailed by one after the opening quarter but quickly flipped the game.
Hayes sparked an early 11-0 run with five straight points, helping Los Angeles seize control. From there, the Lakers overwhelmed Washington, closing the first half on a 38-13 run to build a 21-point lead.
Luke Kennard matched Hayes with 19 points off the bench, while Deandre Ayton added 12 as Los Angeles controlled both ends of the floor.
Message Reflects Bigger Picture
Hayes’ “no more technicals” comment may have been brief, but it underscored a larger theme.
Dončić’s absence was short — but avoidable.
For a team with postseason ambitions, losing a key player to suspension, even for one game, is something the Lakers would prefer to eliminate entirely. The margin for error shrinks as the playoffs approach, and discipline becomes part of the equation.
The Lakers improved to 7-6 this season without Dončić, showing they can survive short stretches — but they are clearly at their best when fully intact.
Suspension Carries Ongoing Risk
The one-game absence is not necessarily a one-off.
Under NBA rules, players are suspended after their 16th technical foul, with an additional one-game suspension triggered for every two technicals beyond that threshold. That leaves Dončić with little margin for error as the regular season winds down.
For the Lakers, that reality only reinforces the importance of keeping their primary playmaker on the floor.
Hayes, Dončić Connection Extends Beyond Lakers
GettyLos Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic celebrate the Lakers’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Hayes replaced Deandre Ayton in the fourth quarter.
Hayes’ relationship with Dončić could extend beyond Los Angeles.
According to Brian Windhorst, Hayes has completed paperwork to become a naturalized Slovenian citizen, making him eligible to join Slovenia’s national team alongside Dončić in international competition.
“Jaxson Hayes completed the paperwork to become a Slovenian,” Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective in February. “He can join the Slovenian national team for Luka, which I’d like to say is one of the smartest things Jaxson Hayes has ever done.”
The two are also connected professionally, sharing agent Bill Duffy of WME Sports.
Hayes said earlier this season that the opportunity to play internationally was a motivating factor.
“They came to me with the idea,” Hayes said in October. “USA doesn’t do open tryouts, and I just wanted to play on that stage.”
Hayes originally joined the Lakers in 2023 on a two-year, $4.6 million deal before returning last offseason on a one-year, $3.4 million contract. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Playoff Race Tightens
The urgency behind Hayes’ message is reflected in the standings.
The Lakers hold just a 1½-game lead over the Denver Nuggets for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, leaving little room for error down the stretch.
The path ahead won’t be easy. The Lakers’ final seven games are considered the third-strongest remaining schedule in the league, according to Tankathon, while Denver faces the toughest remaining slate over its last six games.
In that context, every game — and every available player — carries added weight.
Looking Ahead
Dončić is expected to return on Tuesday when the Lakers host the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Hayes made it clear the team is ready.
“Yeah, for sure,” Hayes said. “Definitely excited to get him back tomorrow.”
And when he does return, the message from his teammate will still be waiting:
No more technicals.
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