Jaxson Hayes did not hesitate when things escalated between Luka Doncic and Kris Dunn during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 135 to 118 NBA Cup win over the LA Clippers. The fourth-quarter confrontation brought the teams toward halfcourt and immediately showed how connected the Lakers feel right now. Hayes stepped in for Doncic during the heated moment, took a technical foul, and then made it clear afterward that every bit of it came from loyalty.
Hayes delivered his best quote of the night when he described the bond forming within this roster, Talk Basket reports. “I feel a lot of camaraderie with this team and we’re all really close, we all want to protect each other,” he said when asked about the exchange with Dunn. His shove of Dunn earned him a tech, but it also put the spotlight on the Lakers’ growing chemistry during their five-game winning streak.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick echoed the sentiment. He described how the group shows genuine commitment in small moments, per Yahoo. “We highlight that stuff to our guys all the time, whether it is celebrating the guy making a shot. Our bench celebrations, a guy falls down, multiple guys running over to pick guys up,” Redick said. He explained that these reactions reveal which teams truly enjoy playing with one another. Tuesday night became another example.
Inside the Doncic–Dunn Altercation
The altercation began when Doncic hit the floor while battling Dunn for a rebound. Doncic walked over to respond, and Dunn fired the ball into his chest. Hayes rushed in and shoved Dunn, an action that triggered the sequence of technical fouls after review. Hayes received one. Dunn received two, one for the ball to Doncic and another for shoving Hayes, which led to his ejection.
Hayes said the motive was simple. “I just didn’t like the way he shoved Luka,” he explained. He repeated how close the Lakers feel at this stage of the season and how that closeness drives moments like this one. He added that Doncic immediately covered the technical fine. “He definitely said he got me,” Hayes said, calling it another example of the team’s strong internal support.
The Lakers leaned on that energy across the matchup. They controlled the defensive approach on Ivica Zubac, who finished with 10 points after dropping 38 in his previous outing. Hayes said he focused on quick reads in the short roll and described how he reacts when the defense jumps Doncic. “When they start blitzing Luka, I know I got to short roll and just play make out of there. If not, I kick out for a three or a lob,” he said.
Lakers’ Stars Push the Group Forward
Doncic led the Lakers with 43 points, nine rebounds, and 13 assists. He dropped 32 in the first half and kept Los Angeles ahead 69 to 66 at the break. Austin Reaves added 31 points and nine rebounds. LeBron James gave the Lakers 25 points, including 16 in the second half. Hayes said the trio continues to build rhythm. “We all know what this team can be. We’re a very skilled and talented team, it’s just part of the growing pains of the season,” he said.
The win secured the top spot in West Group B of the NBA Cup and locked in a quarterfinal berth. The Lakers play one more group game on Friday at home against the Dallas Mavericks as their confidence continues to rise.
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