The Los Angeles Lakers finished their grueling road trip by holding off a feisty Indiana Pacers team to come away with a 137-130 win.
Luka Doncic led all players with 43 points, but the Lakers also received significant contributions from LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes and Bronny James, among others, to overcome being shorthanded and finish 5-1 on their road trip.
Jaxson Hayes inspired by family
Hayes was pressed into the starting lineup because DeAndre Ayton was ruled out due to back trouble, and he responded with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
“Obviously wanted to close out the trip with a win. But I grew up an hour and a half away, so my family was here,” Hayes said on Spectrum SportsNet. “I’m going to have the energy if they’re here. I was just excited I got to play in front of my parents and stuff.”
It was the third 20-and-10 game of Hayes’ career, but his first with the Lakers.
“It’s always nice to do well in front of the family. Felt great,” Hayes said.
He is a native of Norman, Okla., but ironically attended the University of Texas. That came after being raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Hayes’ parents still reside. Thus, the Lakers’ road trip allowed for him to spend extended time with his parents.
“It was just my mom and dad. My little brothers are in college now, my sister is in college now. So it was just my mom and dad. They’re empty nesters,” Hayes said of the family that was in attendance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. “My little brother moved out last year.
“I went back home with them after Detroit, got a night at home, drove back up here to Indy [Tuesday] night with my parents, went to sleep and played today. … I got a home-cooked breakfast from my mom, I got to check out some properties I’m about to buy this summer. Just kind of hang out with my dad all day, which is always fun. Drove up here with my mom and dad, got dinner with them.
“It was awesome. Best way to end the trip, for sure.”
Next for Hayes and the Lakers is a short homestand that begins Friday and consists of games against the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s not yet clear if Hayes will need to remain in the lineup this weekend.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
