Lakers’ Hayes Focused on Seizing Opportunity Amid Playoff Push

LOS ANGELES — As the NBA playoffs approach, Los Angeles Lakers center Hayes is gearing up for the most crucial stretch of his career amidst a star-studded roster.

During a practice on April 1, Hayes emphasized the importance of maximizing his opportunity. “I just view it as an opportunity to make a name for myself, an opportunity to go win some games and win a ring,” he said. With key players like Anthony Davis now with the Mavericks, Hayes is stepping into a leadership role on the Lakers.

Since being paired with Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, Hayes has found success on the court, averaging nearly 9.0 points per game and shooting an impressive 76.9% from the field. His ability to stretch defenses with his agility has opened opportunities for Doncic and the Lakers’ perimeter shooters. “When teams do that, man, it’s either Luka’s gonna get a bucket or one of the shooters gonna get a bucket,” Hayes noted.

In their last outing on March 31, the Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets, with key contributions from Hayes, Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Gabe Vincent, each scoring 20 points. Coach emphasized the necessity of Hayes on the court, highlighting their struggles when he missed four games in early March, resulting in four consecutive losses.

Coach stressed, “If we’re wanting to win at the highest level, he’s gotta be elite. We need him on the floor. We need him to stay out of foul trouble.” In addressing his earlier frustrations with referees, Hayes acknowledged the need to focus on his game, stating, “I gotta remember they’re human too.”

This week, the Lakers are set to host the Golden State Warriors, a significant matchup that comes after both teams altered their rosters. The Warriors, now featuring Jimmy Butler, hope to make a strong playoff push as well. Hayes acknowledged the challenge, saying, “We gotta deal with him and Draymond [Green], two very big competitors. And obviously Steph is Steph.”