Ahead of the game against the Magic tonight, Lakers coach JJ Redick provided some crucial insight in a chat with the media. First on the docket was the status of Jaxson Hayes, who is set to miss tonight’s game with a right ankle sprain.
“Unfortunately, nobody on our team can jump as high as him outside of maybe LeBron James himself,” said Redick. “We’ll make do with Maxi and Vando. The good news is, he’s day-to-day, and he’s already made improvements. He had a light on-court workout today, and he’s still dealing with a little bit of pain, but we hope he’s gonna be back this week.”
Hayes, 25, has been an important role-player for the Lakers, averaging 6.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 77.0% shooting from the field. While his status is day-to-day, Redick refused to provide an exact return date for the veteran big man.
Regarding the matchup today, Redick also provided some key insight into the defensive game plan. He stressed the importance of transition defense and matching the level of aggression the Magic will bring from the opening tip, specifically Desmond Bane.
“Bane’s playing at a really high level right now, shooting super well,” Redick added. “He’s being ultra-aggressive, and I think that’s all of their guys right now, in terms of the aggression level and the drive, and it starts in transition with them. They’re really looking to run and score at the rim, and we’ve got to do a good job of going back and setting our defense and being able to contain the basketball. Whether it’s in zone or man, we have to protect the paint tonight.”
The Lakers are 1-1 coming out of the All-Star break, including a 111-89 loss to the Celtics on Sunday. Despite injuries all season, to guys like Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, the Lakers have managed to stay in the top six with a 34-22 record overall.
Defense has been a consistent problem for this team, but a new starting lineup that includes Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton has been showing some signs of improvement. For Redick, the determining factor will be protecting the paint. If they can stay focused on sustaining that consistent presence under the rim, it will go a long way toward disrupting the Magic’s offensive rhythm.
Ultimately, when it comes to defense, the Lakers must lean on guys like Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Rui Hachimura to set the tone. On the other end, the Lakers just have to provide Luka with enough help to space the floor and add some unpredictability to the offense.
With Hayes returning soon, the Lakers will be whole again in no time, but the hard work has only just begun. These final 26 games will make or break this season, and tonight’s game will set the stage for how they enter the upcoming playoffs.
