The Los Angeles Lakers finally got back on track after losing four games in a row when they downed the Phoenix Suns 107-96 on Sunday. Their smothering defense, which had been on vacation for a few games, returned and held Phoenix to 39.3% field-goal shooting and 22% from 3-point range, while Kevin Durant and Devin Booker both went 6-of-17.
One thing that greatly helped L.A.’s defense return to form was the return of starting center Jaxson Hayes, who had missed the previous four games due to a knee contusion. But he also did very well offensively by scoring 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field, and he got multiple buckets on lob passes from Luka Doncic, who dished off eight assists in total.
Hayes gave Doncic some huge praise after the game by calling the Slovenian “the best point guard in the league.”
What makes Doncic special is not only his ability to be a volume scorer at all three levels, but also his court vision and sublime passing skills. He has historically worked well with big men who have hops, and while Hayes may not be a starting-quality NBA center, he is certainly a vertical threat, which allows him to benefit in a big way offensively from Doncic’s presence.
